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ObjectiveThere is uncertainty about surgical procedures for adult patients aged 18–60 years undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR). Options include conventional AVR (mechanical, mAVR; tissue, tAVR), the pulmonary autograft (Ross) and aortic valve neocuspidisation (Ozaki). Transcatheter treatment may be an option for selected patients. We used formal consensus methodology to make recommendations about the suitability of each procedure.MethodsA working group, supported by a patient advisory group, developed a list of clinical scenarios across seven domains (anatomy, presentation, cardiac/non-cardiac comorbidities, concurrent treatments, lifestyle, preferences). A consensus group of 12 clinicians rated the appropriateness of each surgical procedure for each scenario on a 9-point Likert scale on two separate occasions (before and after a 1-day meeting).ResultsThere was a consensus that each procedure was appropriate (A) or inappropriate (I) for all clinical scenarios as follows: mAVR: total 76% (57% A, 19% I); tAVR: total 68% (68% A, 0% I); Ross: total 66% (39% A, 27% I); Ozaki: total 31% (3% A, 28% I). The remainder of percentages to 100% reflects the degree of uncertainty. There was a consensus that transcatheter aortic valve implantation is appropriate for 5 of 68 (7%) of all clinical scenarios (including frailty, prohibitive surgical risk and very limited life span).ConclusionsEvidence-based expert opinion emerging from a formal consensus process indicates that besides conventional AVR options, there is a high degree of certainty about the suitability of the Ross procedure in patients aged 18–60 years. Future clinical guidelines should include the option of the Ross procedure in aortic prosthetic valve selection.

Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the need for postoperative permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) following sutureless and rapid-deployment aortic valve replacement (SuRD-AVR) in the context of a progress report from a large multicenter international registry (SURD-IR). Methods We retrospectively analyzed 4,166 patients who underwent SuRD-AVR between 2008 and 2019. The primary outcome was the need for PPI before discharge. The study population was analyzed separately according to the implanted prostheses (Su cohort and RD cohort). Each cohort was divided into two groups based on the operation date: an early group (“EG” = 2008–2016) and a late group (“LG” = 2017–2019). Results The rate of PPI decreased significantly in the Su cohort over time (EG = 10.8% vs LG = 6.3%, p Conclusions Our analysis showed a significant decrease in the PPI rate in patients who underwent Su-AVR over time. Patient selection as well as surgical improvements and a more accurate sizing could be correlated with this phenomenon. The RD cohort revealed no significant differences either in patient's characteristics or in PPI rate between the two time periods.

Permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) represents a rare complication after cardiac surgery, with no uniform agreement on timing and no information on follow-up. A multi-center retrospective study was designed to assess pacemaker dependency (PMD) and long-term mortality after cardiac surgery procedures. Between 2004 and 2016, PPI-patients from 18 centers were followed. Time-to-event data were evaluated with semiparametric regression Cox models and semiparametric Fine and Gray model for competing risk framework. Of 859 (0.90%) PPI-patients, 30% were pacemaker independent (PMI) at 6 months. PMD showed higher mortality compared with PMI (10-year survival 80.1% +/- 2.6% and 92.2% +2.4%, respectively, log-rank p-value < 0.001) with an unadjusted hazard ratio for death of 0.36 (95% CI 0.20 to 0.65, p< 0.001 favoring PMI) and an adjusted hazard ratio of 0.19 (95% CI 0.08 to 0.45, p< 0.001 with PMD as reference). Crude cumulative incidence function of restored PMI rhythm at follow-up at 6 months, 1 year and 12 years were 30.5% (95% CI 27.3% to 33.7%), 33.7% (95% CI 30.4% to 36.9%) and 37.2% (95% CI 33.8% to 40.6%) respectively. PMI was favored by preoperative sinus rhythm with normal conduction (SR) (HR 2.37, 95% CI 1.65 to 3.40, p< 0.001), whereas coronary artery bypass grafting and aortic valve replacement were independently associated with PMD (HR 0.63, 95% CI 0.45 to 0.88, p = 0.006 and HR 0.807, 95% CI 0.65 to 0.99, p = 0.047 respectively). Time-to-implantation was not associated with increased rate of PMI. Although 30% of PPI-patients are PMI after 6 months, PMD is associated with higher mortality at long term. (C) 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc.

OBJECTIVES Although the intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) has been the most widely adopted temporary mechanical support device in cardiac surgical patients, its use has declined. The current study aimed to evaluate the occurrence and predictors of early mortality and complication rates in contemporary cardiac surgery patients supported by an IABP. METHODS A multicentre, retrospective analysis was performed of all consecutive cardiac surgical patients receiving perioperative balloon pump support in 8 centres between January 2010 to December 2019. The primary outcome was early mortality, and secondary outcomes were balloon-associated complications. A multivariable binary logistic regression model was applied to evaluate predictors of the primary outcome. RESULTS The study cohort consisted of 2615 consecutive patients. The median age was 68 years [25th percentile 61, 75th percentile 75 years], with the majority being male (76.9%), and a mean calculated 30-day mortality risk of 10.0%. Early mortality was 12.7% (n = 333), due to cardiac causes (n = 266), neurological causes (=22), balloon-related causes (n = 5) and other causes (n = 40). A composite end point of all vascular complications occurred in 7.2% of patients, and leg ischaemia was observed in 1.3% of patients. The most important predictors of early mortality were peripheral vascular disease [odds ratio (OR) 1.63], postoperative dialysis requirement (OR 10.40) and vascular complications (OR 2.57). CONCLUSIONS The use of the perioperative IABP proved to be safe and demonstrated relatively low complication rates, particularly for leg ischaemia. As such, we believe that specialists should not be held back to use this widely available treatment in high-risk cardiac surgical patients when indicated.

Objective To report the early and mid-term results of patients who underwent minimally invasive aortic valve replacement (MI-AVR) with a sutureless prosthesis from an international prospective registry. Methods Between March 2011 and September 2018, among 957 patients included in the prospective observational SURE-AVR (Sorin Universal REgistry on Aortic Valve Replacement) registry, 480 patients underwent MI-AVR with self-expandable Perceval aortic bioprosthesis (LivaNova PLC, London, UK) in 29 international institutions through either minithoracotomy ( n = 266) or ministernotomy ( n = 214). Postoperative, follow-up, and echocardiographic outcomes were analyzed for all patients. Results Patient age was 76.1 ± 7.1 years; 64.4% were female. Median EuroSCORE I was 7.9% (interquartile range [IQR], 4.8 to 10.9). Median cardiopulmonary bypass and cross-clamp times were 81 minutes (IQR 64 to 100) and 51 minutes (IQR 40 to 63). First successful implantation was achieved in 97.9% of cases. Two in-hospital deaths occurred, 1 for noncardiovascular causes and 1 following a disabling stroke. In the early (≤30 days) period, stroke rate was 1.4%. Three early explants were reported: 2 due to nonstructural valve dysfunction (NSVD) and 1 for malpositioning. One mild and 1 moderate paravalvular leak were reported. In 16 patients (3.3%) pacemaker implantation was needed. Mean follow-up was 2.4 years (maximum = 7 years). During follow-up 5 explants were reported, 3 due to endocarditis and 2 due to NSVD. Follow-up stroke rate was 2.5%. Three structural valve deteriorations not requiring reintervention were reported. Five-year survival was 91.45%. Conclusions In this large prospective international registry, MI-AVR with Perceval valve confirmed to be safe, reproducible, and effective in an intermediate-risk population, providing excellent clinical recovery both in early and mid-term follow-up.

Objective: The aim of this multicenter study was to evaluated whether cold or warm cardioplegia are associated with postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) and the prognostic role of the latter on early stroke and neurological mortality.Method: This was a retrospective analysis of prospective collected data from 9 cardiac centers in Italy and the United States including patients undergoing surgery between 2010 and 2018. From the 9 institutional databases, 17,231 patients underwent isolated CABG on-pump, using either warm cardioplegia (n = 7730) or cold cardioplegia (n = 9501); among the latter group blood and crystalloid cardioplegia were used in 691 and 8810 patients, respectively. After matching, two pairs of 4162 patients (overall cohort 8324) were analyzed.Results: In matched population, the rate of POAF was 18% (1472 cases), 15% (608) in warm group versus 21% (864) in cold group (p < 0.001). Multivariable analysis confirmed that cold cardioplegia was associated with higher rate of POAF, along with age, hypercholesterolemia, LVEF, reoperation, preoperative IABP, previous stroke, cardiopulmonary and cross-clamp. Moreover, cold cardioplegia as well as POAF increased the rate of postoperative stroke as well as early mortality and neurological mortality Propensity-weighted cohort included 11,830 (70%) patients out of 17,231. After adjustment, both cold blood and cold crystalloid cardioplegia negatively influenced POAF, stroke and neurological mortality.Conclusions: Warm cardioplegia may reduce the rate of POAF in CABG patients with respect to cold cardioplegia, either blood or crystalloid. This has a prognostic impact on postoperative stroke and neurological mortality. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

OBJECTIVES Healthcare systems worldwide have been overburdened by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. Accordingly, hospitals had to implement strategies to profoundly reshape both non-COVID-19 medical care and surgical activities. Knowledge about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cardiac surgery practice is pivotal. The goal of the present study was to describe the changes in cardiac surgery practices during the health emergency at the national level. METHODS A 26-question web-enabled survey including all adult cardiac surgery units in Italy was conducted to assess how their clinical practice changed during the national lockdown. Data were compared to data from the corresponding period in 2019. RESULTS All but 2 centres (94.9%) adopted specific protocols to screen patients and personnel. A significant reduction in the number of dedicated cardiac intensive care unit beds (−35.4%) and operating rooms (−29.2%), along with healthcare personnel reallocation to COVID departments (nurses −15.4%, anaesthesiologists −7.7%), was noted. Overall adult cardiac surgery volumes were dramatically reduced (1734 procedures vs 3447; P, The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is the world’s largest infectious disease crisis in the last 100 years.

Objective To report early and midterm results registry of patients undergoing repeated aortic valve replacement (RAVR) with sutureless prostheses from an international prospective registry (SURE-AVR). Methods Between March 2011 and June 2019, 69 patients underwent RAVR with self-expandable sutureless aortic bioprostheses at 22 international cardiac centers. Results Overall mortality was 2.9% with a predicted logistic EuroSCORE II of 10.7%. Indications for RAVR were structural valve dysfunction (84.1%) and infective prosthetic endocarditis (15.9%) and were performed in patients with previously implanted bioprostheses (79.7%), mechanical valves (15.9%), and transcatheter valves (4.3%). Minimally invasive approach was performed in 15.9% of patients. Rate of stroke was 1.4% and rate of early valve-related reintervention was 1.4%. Overall survival rate at 1 and 5 years was 97% and 91%, respectively. No major paravalvular leak occurred. Rate of pacemaker implantation was 5.8% and 0.9% per patient-year early and at follow-up, respectively. The mean transvalvular gradient at 1-year and 5-year follow-up was 10.5 mm Hg and 11.5 mm Hg with a median effective orifice area of 1.8 cm2and 1.8 cm2, respectively. Conclusions RAVR with sutureless valves is a safe and effective approach and provides excellent clinical and hemodynamic results up to 5 years.

Since their introduction, it has been demonstrated that minimally invasive aortic valve replacement (MIAVR) approaches are safe and effective for the treatment of aortic valve diseases. To date, the main advantage of these approaches is represented by the reduced surgical trauma, with a subsequent reduced complication rate and faster recovery. This makes such approaches an appealing choice also for frail patients [obese, aged, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)]. The standardization of the minimally invasive techniques, together with the implementation of preoperative workup and anesthesiological intra- and post-operative care, led to an amelioration of surgical results and reduction of surgical times. Moreover, the improvement of surgical technology and the introduction of new devices such as sutureless and rapid deployment (SURD) valves, has helped the achievement of comparable results to traditional surgery. However, transcatheter technologies are nowadays more and more important in the treatment of aortic valve disease, also in low risk patients. For this reason surgeons should put new efforts for further reducing the surgical trauma in the future, even taking inspiration from other disciplines. In this review, we aim to present a review of literature evidences regarding minimally invasive treatment of aortic diseases, also reflecting our personal experience with MIAVR techniques. This review could represent a tool for a well-structured patient assessment and preoperative planning, in order to safely carrying out an MIAVR procedure with satisfactory outcomes.

Background: A minimally invasive approach (MIA) reduces mortality and morbidity in patients referred for aortic valve replacement (AVR). Sutureless technology facilitates a MIA. We describe our experience with the sutureless Perceval (LivaNova, Italy) aortic bioprosthesis through a right anterior mini-thoracotomy (RAMT) approach. Methods: Between March 2011 and October 2019, 1,049 patients underwent AVR with Perceval bioprosthesis. Five hundred and three patients (48%) were operated through a RAMT approach in the second intercostal space. Considering only isolated AVR (881), 98% of patients were operated with MIA, and Perceval in RAMT approach was performed in 57% of these patients. Eight patients (1.6%) had previously undergone cardiac surgery. The prosthesis sizes implanted were: S (n=91), M (n=154), L (n=218) and XL (n=40). Concomitant procedures were mitral valve surgery (n=6), tricuspid valve repair (n=1), mitral valve repair and tricuspid valve repair (n=1) and miectomy (n=2). Mean age was 78±4 years (range, 65–89 years), 317 patients were female (63%) and EuroSCORE II was 5.9%±8.4%. Results: The 30-day mortality was 0.8% (4/503). Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and aortic cross-clamp times were 81.6±30.8 and 50.3±24.5 minutes respectively for stand-alone procedures. In two patients, early moderate paravalvular leakage appeared as a result of incomplete expansion of the sutureless valve due to oversizing of the bioprosthesis, requiring reoperations at two and nine postoperative days with sutured aortic bioprosthesis implantation. Permanent pacemaker implantation within the first thirty days was necessary in 26 (5.2%) patients. At the mean follow-up of 4.6 years (range, 1 month to 8.6 years), survival was 96%, freedom from reoperation was 99.2%, and mean transvalvular pressure gradient was 11.9±4.3 mmHg. Conclusions: AVR with the Perceval bioprosthesis in a RAMT approach is a safe and feasible procedure associated with low mortality and excellent hemodynamic performance. Sutureless technology facilitates a RAMT approach.

BACKGROUND: Benefits of sutureless and rapid deployment (SURD) bioprostheses in bicuspid aortic valves (BAV) are controversial. The aim of this study is to report the outcomes of patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR) for BAV from the Sutureless and Rapid-Deployment Aortic Valve Replacement International Registry (SURD-IR). METHODS: Of the 4,636 patients who received primary isolated SURD-AVR between 2007 and 2018, 191 (4.1%) BAV patients underwent AVR with SURD valve. RESULTS: Overall 30-day mortality was 1.6%. The Intuity valve was implanted in 53.9% of cases, whereas the Perceval was implanted in 46.1%. Rate of stroke for isolated AVR was 4.2%. No case of endocarditis, thromboembolism, myocardial infarction, valve dislocation or structural valve deterioration was reported in the early phase. Rate of pacemaker implantation and moderate-severe aortic regurgitation (AR) were 7.9% and 3.7%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: BAV is not considered a contraindication for the implantation of SURD valves. However, detailed information of aortic root geometry as well as the knowledge of some technical considerations are mandatory for a good outcome. ispartof: ANNALS OF CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY vol:9 issue:4 pages:298-304 ispartof: location:China status: published

In the last two decades, sutureless (Perceval, LivaNova PLC, London, UK) and rapid deployment valves (RD) (Intuity, Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA, USA) were introduced to the market as an innovative alternative to traditional valves for patients requiring an aortic valve replacement (AVR). These devices have been studied extensively and in use across the last fifteen years. They have proven to not only demonstrate comparable results with conventional sutured biological valves-particularly helpful in minimally invasive cardiac surgery-but also provide an almost curative treatment to patients with intermediate-to-high surgical risk, filling the gap between transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and traditional AVR. However, both sutureless and RD valves require special steps for implantation, resulting in a learning curve. Specific training for all surgical team members is mandatory, as recommended by the manufacturers. The aim of this review article is therefore to provide cardiac surgeons with a thorough guide on the implantation technique for each of these two prosthetic devices, from A to Z. In this first article, we will start by focusing on Perceval.

OBJECTIVES Minimally invasive surgical techniques with optimal outcomes are of paramount importance. Sutureless and rapid deployment aortic valves are increasingly implanted via minimally invasive approaches. We aimed to analyse the procedural outcomes of a full sternotomy (FS) compared with those of minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) and further assess MICS, namely ministernotomy (MS) and anterior right thoracotomy (ART). METHODS We selected all isolated aortic valve replacements in the Sutureless and Rapid Deployment Aortic Valve Replacement International Registry (SURD-IR, n = 2257) and performed propensity score matching to compare aortic valve replacement through FS or MICS (n = 508/group) as well as through MS and ART accesses (n = 569/group). RESULTS Postoperative mortality was 1.6% in FS and MICS patients who had a mean logistic EuroSCORE of 11%. Cross-clamp and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) times were shorter in the FS group than in the MICS group (mean difference 3.2 and 9.2 min; P CONCLUSIONS According to this non-randomized international registry, FS resulted in a higher rate of acute kidney injury. The ART access showed a lower stroke rate than MS and a shorter hospital stay than all other accesses. All these findings may be related to underlying patient risk factors.

Mitral valve (MV) repair procedures have evolved over time and multiple approaches have been proposed also for the repair with neochords implantation. This article compiles the currently available approaches for implanting and sizing neochords, to restore a proper coaptation of the MV leaflets and a good systo-dyastolic movement. The described techniques are aimed at standardizing chordal measurement, in order to reduce variability in chordal length. The placement of annuloplasty ring before chordae implantation should be avoided. Regardless of the technique chosen, it is important that the implanted chordae do not interfere with normal native chordae, to avoid the risk that neochordae may heal together or get damaged. This article aims to give an overview of the most common sizing techniques available.

Background: Sutureless and rapid-deployment aortic valve replacement (SURD-AVR) has become a prominent area of research as the medical community evaluate its place amongst other aortic valve interventions. The main advantages of SURD-AVR established to date are the reduced cross-clamp and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) times, as well as facilitating minimally invasive surgery in high-risk surgical patients. This current systematic review and meta-analysis, to our knowledge, is the first focusing on long-term outcomes regarding safety, efficacy and durability of SURD-AVR from available current literature. Methods: A literature search via six electronic databases was performed from their inception to November 2019. Inclusion criteria for this systematic review included survival and postoperative echocardiographic outcomes greater than five years in patients who underwent SURD-AVR with either Perceval or Intuity valves. Studies were identified and data extracted by two independent reviewers. Long-term survival outcomes were aggregated using digitized Kaplan-Meier curves where available. Results: After applying predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, four studies were identified for review. All four studies were observational and in total reported data for 1,998 patients. Almost half (42.4%) of patients underwent SURD-AVR via full sternotomy, with almost one third (30.1%) also undergoing concomitant cardiac procedures. Aggregate overall survival rates at 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year follow-up were 94.9%, 91.2%, 89.0%, and 84.2%, respectively. Incidence of strokes (4.8%), severe paravalvular leaks (PVLs) (1.5%) and permanent pacemaker (PPM) insertion (8.2%) at up to 5-year follow-up were acceptable. At 5-year follow-up hemodynamic outcomes were also acceptable for mean pressure gradient (MPG) (range, 8.8–13.6 mmHg), peak pressure gradient (PPG) (range, 18.9–21.1 mmHg) and effective orifice area (EOA) (range, 1.5–1.8 cm 2 ). Conclusions: Evaluation of the evidence reporting long-term outcomes of SURD-AVR suggests that it is a safe procedure for AVR with low rates of complications. Long-term outcomes presented in this review show that not only does SURD-AVR have acceptable survival rates, but also good hemodynamic performance at 5-year follow-up.

In the last two decades, sutureless (Perceval, Livanova PLC, London, UK) and rapid deployment (INTUITY Elite, Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA, USA) valves were introduced to the market as an innovative alternative to traditional valves for patients needing aortic valve replacement (AVR). These devices have been used and studied extensively across these fifteen years, and have proven to be a valid alternative treatment option compared to sutured biological valves, particularly helpful in minimally invasive cardiac surgery, and an almost curative treatment to patients with intermediate to high surgical risk, filling the gap between transcatheter and traditional AVR. However, both sutureless and rapid deployment valves require special steps for implantation, and also a learning curve. Proper specific training to all surgical team members is required as mandatory by the manufacturers. The aim of this review article is to provide cardiac surgeons with a thorough guide on the implantation technique from A to Z, for each of these two prosthetic devices. In this second part of our review article, we will focus on the INTUITY Elite valve.

Objective: To evaluate the aortic wall elasticity using the maximal rate of systolic distension (MRSD) and maximal rate of diastolic recoil (MRDR) and their correlation with the aortic size index (ASI). Methods: Forty-eight patients with thoracic aortic aneurysm were enrolled in this study. A standard magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol was used to calculate MRSD and MRDR. Both MRSD and MRDR were expressed as percentile of maximal area/10-3 sec. ASI (maximal aortic diameter/body surface area) was calculated. A correlation between MRSD, MRDR, ASI, and the patient’s age was performed using regression plot. Results: A significant correlation between MRSD (t=-4,36; r2=0.29; P≤0.0001), MRDR (t=3.92; r2=0.25; P=0.0003), and ASI (25±4.33 mm/m2; range 15,48-35,14 mm/m2) is observed. As ASI increases, aortic MRSD and MRDR decrease. Such inverse correlation between MRSD, MRDR, and ASI indicates increased stiffness of the ascending aorta. A significant correlation between the patient’s age and the decrease in MRSD and MRDR is observed. Conclusion: MRSD and MRDR are significantly correlated with ASI and the patient’s age. They seem to describe properly the increasing stiffness of aortas. These two new indexes provide a promising, accessible, and reproducible approach to evaluate the biomechanical property of the aorta.

OBJECTIVES The ideal strategy for the treatment of severe aortic valve stenosis in patients of varying risk categories has become a debated topic in the last years: should the transcatheter or surgical approach be adopted? The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of low-, intermediate-, high- and very high-risk patients undergoing sutureless, rapid deployment aortic valve replacement. METHODS From 2007 to 2017, data on a total of 3651 patients were collected from the Sutureless and Rapid Deployment Aortic Valve Replacement International Registry (SURD-IR). Of these, 2057 patients who underwent primary isolated aortic valve replacement were considered for this analysis and classified as being at low (EuroSCORE 20; n = 156) preoperative risk. RESULTS Overall, a less invasive approach was used in 74.1% of patients and represented the most frequent (>50%) approach in all risk categories. The Perceval prosthesis was used more frequently than other devices, especially in patients at high and very high risk. Hospital mortality was 1.6%, 0.8%, 1.9% and 2.7% in low-, intermediate-, high- and very high-risk patients, respectively, with no significant differences among subgroups. Similarly, postoperative complication rates were similar across the different risk categories. CONCLUSIONS Surgical aortic valve replacement using sutureless, rapid deployment biological valve prostheses is associated with excellent results and represents a safe and effective treatment option for patients with severe aortic valve stenosis. This seems to be particularly true in patients with a higher risk profile.

Background & Objectives: Mortality and morbidity from the complication of aortic aneurysm remain very high. Aortic size index, which classify thoracic aortic aneurysm patients in three risk groups for aortic rupture prediction. Recent data support that aortic wall remodeling is a dynamic process with active involvement of the chronic inflammation and immunological system. Aim of our study is to evaluate expression level of chemokine receptors known to be involved in the T-cells migration and to correlate them with aortic size index. Materials & Methods: Total 20 patients undergoing surgery for ascending aortic aneurysm and/or aortic valve surgery were enrolled. Aortic size index was calculated. Preoperatively blood samples collected. By flowcytometry and dual parameter dot plot technology percentage of positivity of CCR5 on these T-cell subsets were quantified. Results: Mean age of the patients was 67±5.93 years. Majority of patients had hypertension. Mean ascending aortic diameter was 42.1±8.14 mm. Mean Aortic size Index was 22.21±3.38 mm/m2. A statistical significance has observed between aortic size index and the expression of CCR5 on total CD4 positive T-cells (p-0.0949), and between aortic size index and CCR5 expression on the total CD3 positive T-cells (p-0.0293). Significant correlation observed between ASI and CCR5 expression on the CD8+/CD3+ T-cell subset (p-0.0183). Similarly, strong positive relationship between ASI and the expression of CCR5 on the cytotoxic CD28-/CD4+ T-cell subset (p-0.0055). Activated state of cytotoxic CD28-/CD4+ cell also correlated with aortic size index (p-0.0668).Conclusion: We conclude that T-cell mediated cytotoxic mechanism driven by CCR5 play an important role in the pathophysiology of the thoracic aortic aneurysm.JCMS Nepal. 2016;12(1):23-27.

Background Aortic stenosis is the most common valvular disease and has a dismal prognosis without surgical treatment. The aim of this meta‐analysis was to quantitatively assess the comparative effectiveness of the Perceval (LivaNova) valve versus conventional aortic bioprostheses. Methods and Results A total of 6 comparative studies were identified, including 639 and 760 patients who underwent, respectively, aortic valve replacement with the Perceval sutureless valve (P group) and with a conventional bioprosthesis (C group). Aortic cross‐clamping and cardiopulmonary bypass duration were significantly lower in the P group. No difference in postoperative mortality was shown for the P and C groups (2.8% versus 2.7%, respectively; odds ratio [OR]: 0.99 [95% confidence interval ( CI ), 0.52–1.88]; P =0.98). Incidence of postoperative renal failure was lower in the P group compared with the C group (2.7% versus 5.5%; OR: 0.45 [95% CI , 0.25–0.80]; P =0.007). Incidence of stroke (2.3% versus 1.7%; OR: 1.34 [95% CI , 0.56–3.21]; P =0.51) and paravalvular leak (3.1% versus 1.6%; OR : 2.52 [95% CI , 0.60–1.06]; P =0.21) was similar, whereas P group patients received fewer blood transfusions than C group patients (1.16±1.2 versus 2.13±2.2; mean difference: 0.99 [95% CI , −1.22 to −0.75]; P =0.001). The incidence of pacemaker implantation was higher in the P than the C group (7.9% versus 3.1%; OR : 2.45 [95% CI , 1.44–4.17]; P =0.001), whereas hemodynamic Perceval performance was better (transvalvular gradient 23.42±1.73 versus 22.8±1.86; mean difference: 0.90 [95% CI , 0.62–1.18]; P =0.001), even during follow‐up (10.98±5.7 versus 13.06±6.2; mean difference: −2.08 [95% CI , −3.96 to −0.21]; P =0.030). We found no difference in 1‐year mortality. Conclusions The Perceval bioprosthesis improves the postoperative course compared with conventional bioprostheses and is an option for high‐risk patients.

OBJECTIVE: The goals of rapid-deployment aortic valve replacement include facilitation of minimally invasive surgery and reduced aortic crossclamp time. We report the short-term outcomes of a series of 493 patients undergoing rapid-deployment aortic valve replacement with the EDWARDS INTUITY valve system (Edwards Lifesciences, LLC, Irvine, Calif).METHODS: Assessing Standard oF Care and Clinical Outcomes UsiNg the EDWARDS INTUITY VAlve SysTem in a European multI-center, Active, pOst-market surveillaNce Study was a prospective, multicenter (n = 26) European registry designed to evaluate the safety and performance of the valve system. During rapid-deployment aortic valve replacement, device technical success and crossclamp time were assessed. Procedural outcomes, hemodynamic performance, and various adverse events and clinical outcomes were evaluated up to 2 years.RESULTS: Between 2012 and 2014, 493 of 517 enrolled patients successfully received implants with the study valve (95.4% technical success). Mean crossclamp times for 163 full sternotomies, 128 mini-upper sternotomies, and 36 right anterior thoracotomies isolated aortic valve replacements were 47.3, 52.0, and 73.3 minutes, respectively. Mean follow-up was 1.8 years, with 870 total patient-years of follow-up. Mean effective orifice area increased from 0.72 (baseline) to 1.88 cm2, and mean pressure gradient decreased from 47.6 to 9.6 mm Hg (1 year). Mean effective orifice area index increased (0.39-1.01 cm2/m2), and 28 of 287 patients (9.8%) exhibited severe prosthesis-patient mismatch at 1 year. After 1 year, 68.1% and 21.7% of patients were in New York Heart Association class I and II, respectively. Freedom from death, major bleeding, major perivalvular leak, reoperation, and device explant at 1 year were 0.935, 0.939, 0.976, 0.975, and 0.983, respectively.CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate commendable safety and performance of the test valve system over the short term in a broad European setting.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the results of aortic valve replacement through sternotomic approach in redo scenarios (RAVR) vs transapical transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), in patients in the eighth decade of life or older already undergone previous coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS One hundred and twenty-six patients undergoing RAVR were compared with 113 patients undergoing TaTAVR in terms of 30-day mortality and Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 outcomes. The two groups were also analysed after propensity-matching. RESULTS TaTAVR patients demonstrated a higher incidence of 30-day mortality (P = 0.03), stroke (P = 0.04), major bleeding (P = 0.03), worse 'early safety' (P = 0.04) and lower permanent pacemaker implantation (P = 0.03). TaTAVR had higher follow-up hazard in all-cause mortality [hazard ratio (HR) 3.15, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.28-6.62; P < 0.01] and cardiovascular mortality (HR 1.66, 95% CI 1.02-4.88; P = 0.04). Propensity-matched patients showed comparable 30-day outcome in terms of survival, major morbidity and early safety, with only a lower incidence of transfusions after TaTAVR (10.7% vs RAVR: 57.1%; P < 0.01). A trend towards lower Acute Kidney Injury Network Classification 2/3 (3.6% vs RAVR 21.4%; P = 0.05) and towards a lower freedom from all-cause mortality at follow-up (TaTAVR: 44.3 ± 21.3% vs RAVR: 86.6 ± 9.3%; P =. 08) was demonstrated after TaTAVR, although cardiovascular mortality was comparable (TaTAVR: 86.5 ± 9.7% vs RAVR: 95.2 ± 4.6%; P = 0.52). Follow-up freedom from stroke, acute heart failure, reintervention on AVR and thrombo-embolisms were comparable (P = NS). EuroSCORE II (P = 0.02), perioperative stroke (P = 0.01) and length of hospitalization (P = 0.02) were the determinants of all-cause mortality at follow-up, whereas perioperative stroke (P = 0.03) and length of hospitalization (P = 0.04) impacted cardiovascular mortality at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Reported differences in mortality and morbidity after TaTAVR and RAVR reflect differences in baseline risk profiles. Given the lower trend for renal complications, patients at higher perioperative renal risk might be better served by TaTAVR.

Background Acute fulminant myocarditis (AFM) may represent a life-threatening event, characterized by rapidly progressive cardiac compromise that ultimately leads to refractory cardiogenic shock or cardiac arrest. Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) provides effective cardiocirculatory support in this circumstance, but few clinical series are available about early and long-term results. Data from a multicenter study group are reported which analyzed subjects affected by AFM and treated with VA-ECMO during a 5-year period. Method From hospital databases, 57 patients with diagnoses of AFM treated with VA-ECMO in the past 5 years were found and analyzed. Mean age was 37.6 ± 11.8 years; 37 patients were women. At VA-ECMO implantation, cardiogenic shock was present in 38 patients, cardiac arrest in 12, and severe hemodynamic instability in 7. A peripheral approach was used with 47 patients, whereas 10 patients had a central implantation or other access. Results Mean VA-ECMO support was 9.9 ± 19 days (range, 2 to 24 days). Cardiac recovery with ECMO weaning was achieved in 43 patients (75.5%), major complications were observed in 40 patients (70.1%), and survival to hospital discharge occurred in 41 patients (71.9%). After hospital discharge (median follow-up, 15 months) there were 2 late deaths. The 5-year actual survival was 65.2% ± 7.9%, with recurrent self-recovering myocarditis observed in 2 patients (at 6 and 12 months from the first AFM event), and 1 heart transplantation. Conclusions Cardiopulmonary support with VA-ECMO provides an invaluable tool in the treatment of AFM, although major complications may characterize the hospital course. Long-term outcome appears favorable with rare episodes of recurrent myocarditis or cardiac-related events.

Despite substantial progress in surgical techniques and perioperative management, the treatment and long-term follow-up of type A acute aortic dissection (AAD) still remain a major challenge. The objective of this retrospective, multicentre study was to assess in a large series of patients the early and long-term results after surgery for type A AAD.We analysed the preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative conditions of 1.148 consecutive patients surgically treated in seven large referral centres from 1981 to 2013. We applied to each patient three different multi-parameter risk profiles (preadmission risk, admission risk and post-surgery risk) in order to compare risk factors and outcome. Long-term Kaplan-Meier survival was evaluated.The median age was 64 years and the male population was predominant (66%). Identified diagnosis of collagen disease was present in 9%, and Marfan syndrome in 5%. Bicuspid aortic valve was present in 69 patients (6%). Previous cardiac surgery was identified in 10% of the patients. During surgery, the native aortic valve was preserved in 72% of the cases, including leaflet resuspension in 23% and David operation in 1.2%. Considering aortic valve replacement (AVR: 28%), bioprosthesis implantation was performed in 14.7% of the subjects. Neurological impairment at discharge was shown in 23% of the cases among which 21% of patients had new neurological impairment versus preoperative conditions. The overall 30-day mortality rate was 25.7%. All risk profiles remained independently associated with in-hospital mortality. During the available follow-up of hospital survivors (median: 70 months, interquartile range: 34-113, maximum: 396), cardiac-related death occurred in 7.9% of the subjects. The cumulative survival rate for cardiac death was 95.3% at 5 years, 92.8% at 10 years and 52.8% at 20 years. Severe aortic regurgitation (AR) (grade 3-4) at the time of surgery showed to be a significant risk factor for reintervention during the follow-up (P

International audience; OBJECTIVE: To verify the rate of thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications during the first 6 months after mitral valve repair and to assess whether the type of antithrombotic therapy influenced clinical outcome. METHODS: Retrospective data were retrieved from 19 centers. Inclusion criteria were isolated mitral valve repair with ring implantation. Exclusion criteria were ongoing or past atrial fibrillation and any combined intraoperative surgical procedures. The study cohort consisted of 1882 patients (aged 58 +/- 15 years; 36% women), and included 1517 treated with an oral anticoagulant (VKA group) and 365 with antiplatelet drugs (APLT group). Primary efficacy outcome was the incidence of arterial thromboembolic events within 6 months and primary safety outcome was the incidence of major bleeding within 6 months. Propensity matching was performed to obtain 2 comparable cohorts (858 vs 286). RESULTS: No differences were detected for arterial embolic complications in matched cohort (1.6% VKA vs 2.1% APLT; P = .50). Conversely, patients in the APLT group showed lower incidence of major bleeding complications (3.9% vs 0.7%; P = .01). Six-month mortality rate was significantly higher in the VKA group (2.7% vs 0.3%; P = .02). Multivariable analysis in the matched cohort found VKA as independent predictor of major bleeding complications and mortality at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin K antagonist therapy was not superior to antiplatelet therapy to prevent thromboembolic complications after mitral valve repair. Our data suggest that oral anticoagulation may carry a higher bleeding risk compared with antiplatelet therapy, although these results should be confirmed in an adequately powered randomized controlled trial

After cardiac surgery, delirium, cognitive dysfunction, depression, or anxiety disorders frequently occur, and profoundly affect patients' prognosis and quality of life. This narrative review focuses on the main clinical presentations of cognitive and psychological problems ('mind injuries') that occur postoperatively in absence of ascertainable focal neurologic deficits, exploring their pathophysiological mechanisms and possible strategies for prevention and treatment. Postoperative cognitive dysfunction is a potentially devastating complication that can involve several mechanisms and several predisposing, intraoperative, and postoperative risk factors, which can result in or be associated to cerebral microvascular damage. Postoperative depression is influenced by genetic or psychosocial predisposing factors, by neuroendocrine activation, and by the release of several pro-inflammatory factors. The net effect of these changes is neuroinflammation. These complex biochemical alterations, along with an aspecific response to stressful life events, might target the function of several brain areas, which are thought to represent a trigger factor for the onset of depression. Language: en

A best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was whether patients with chronic kidney disease who required dialysis that undergo valve surgery have better surgical recovery rates with bioprostheses than with mechanical valves. Altogether more than 96 papers were found using the reported search, of which 12 represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The authors, journal, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes and results of these papers are tabulated. Patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing cardiac surgery are very fragile, with high in-hospital mortality rates (13-36%) and limited life expectancy (15-42 months in selected studies). Two studies outlined that diabetic ESRD, neurological impairment, age at the operation and poor ventricular function are the strongest predictors of early and late morbidity and mortality. Based on American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology (AHA/ACC) 1998 valvular guidelines, bioprostheses were considered a contraindication in dialysis patients; this statement derived from anecdotal reports of accelerated valve degeneration. Structural valve deterioration was reported in only 5 of 1347 patients who received bioprosthesis through the studies and independent from implantation site. Likelihood of degeneration is low, with a calculated valve-excision rate of 7%, and occurred in a broad range of time (from 10 to 156 months). The AHA/ACC 2006 valvular revised guidelines removed the previous statement (1998) of class IIa recommendation for mechanical valves and class III for tissue valves; in the focus update of 2008, there is still no specific indication for valve selection in dialysis patients, but difficulties in maintaining anticoagulation in these patients was noted. Stroke, haemorrhage and gastro-intestinal bleeding events occurred in almost 15% of patients with mechanical valves during the follow-up, while bioprostheses showed an average event rate of 3.9%. All but one of the selected studies reported no differences in survival between mechanical and biological valves; in five of seven studies, the patients who received bioprostheses were older (mechanical vs biological average 53 years vs 61.4 years), in one study, patients had undergone dialysis for longer period of time, and, in another study, they had suffered from more previous myocardial infarction (mechanical vs biological 9.1% vs 36.2%). Therefore, survivals have been biased in favour of mechanical valves. Taking together these data, biological valves are a suitable treatment for dialysis-dependent patients and, while not superior to mechanical valves in survival due to the aforementioned study biases, exhibit lower valve-related and anti-coagulation related events.

The aim of this propensity-matched, multicenter study was to compare early clinical and echocardiographic outcomes of patients undergoing transapical aortic valve implantation (TA-TAVI) versus patients undergoing sutureless aortic valve replacement (SU-AVR) for severe symptomatic aortic valve stenosis. We reviewed 468 TA-TAVIs performed in 20 centers from April 2008 to May 2011, and 51 SU-AVRs performed in 3 centers from March to September 2011. Based on a propensity score analysis, 2 groups with 38 matched pairs were created. Variables used in the propensity analysis were age, sex, body surface area, New York Heart Association class, logistic EuroSCORE, peripheral vascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, aortic valve area, mitral regurgitation, and left ventricular ejection fraction. Preoperative characteristics of the 2 groups were comparable. Hospital mortality was 5.3% and 0% in the TA-TAVI and SU-AVR groups, respectively (P = .49). We did not observe stroke or acute myocardial infarction in the 2 groups. Permanent pacemaker implantation was needed in 2 patients of each group (5.3%, P = 1.0). Dialysis was required in 2 patients (5.3%) in the SU-AVR group and in 1 patient (2.7%) in the TA-TAVI group (P = 1.0). Predischarge echocardiographic data showed that the incidence of paravalvular leak (at least mild) was greater in the TA-TAVI group (44.7% vs 15.8%, P = .001), but there were no differences in terms of mean transprosthetic gradient (10.3 ± 5 mm Hg vs 11 ± 3.7 mm Hg, P = .59). This preliminary experience showed that, in patients at high risk for conventional surgery, SU-AVR is as safe and effective as TA-TAVI and that it is associated with a lower rate of postprocedural paravalvular leak. Copyright © 2012 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Mosby, Inc

Coronary artery aneurysms (CAAs) are rare and their management is controversial. Their incidence varies from 1,5% to 5% of the coronary angiographies, with predilection of the right coronary artery. Unruptured coronary aneurysms are often silent and may remain undiagnosed. The etiology can be either congenital or acquired. We describe a case of a left anterior descending artery (LAD) aneurysm treated with an off-pump surgical revascularization with a LIMA to LAD without exclusion or ligature of the aneurysm.

This study has been conducted in an effort to establish metabolic and inflammatory responses of the myocardium during aortic valve surgery on the beating heart with CPB and continuous coronary sinus perfusion with normothermic blood. Twenty patients, divided into two groups, participated in this study. Conventional aortic valvular operations were performed on first 10 patients, while the second group, consisting of 10 patients as well, was subjected to the operations with CPB on the beating heart with continuously perfusion with blood through coronary sinus. There were total of 14 biological and 6 mechanical valves implanted in aortic position. In this study, cardiac markers and inflammatory mediators IL-8 and TNF, were measured preoperatively and postoperatively. Metabolic changes were documented based on the levels of CK-MB, troponin I, myoglobin and LDH. Inflammatory factors we measured through IL-8 and TNF. All measurements were taken in 6 hour intervals during the initial 48 hours following the operations. The patients of "the beating heart" group had significantly lower dose of markers and cytokines in comparison to those who had undergone the conventional valvular operation. The elimination of the adverse effects of global ischemia produced from reperfusion injury and the similarity to the physiological condition, suggests that the revival of the beating heart procedure is more reasonable. This procedure of valvular surgery on the beating heart can be one of the good surgical options for the high-risk valvular patients.

OBJECTIVE In patients with ischaemic left ventricular dysfunction, multivessel disease and dominance of necrotic myocardium, perioperative mortality due to coronary artery bypass grafting is still a rather unclear issue. The aim of this study was to analyse the impact of different imaging variables in predicting perioperative mortality. METHODS We selected a group of 259 patients who had preoperatively been defined as 'high-risk patients' and who showed a mostly necrotic myocardium as detected by thallium-201 myocardial scintigraphy. RESULTS Mean ejection fraction was 0.26 +/- 0.07. In a 16-segment model, the mean number of scintigraphic necrotic myocardial segments was 5.07 +/- 1.09, echocardiographic end-diastolic diameter was 29.41 +/- 2.38 mm/m2 and wall motion score index was 2.29 +/- 0.19. Perioperative mortality increased along with the increase in the number of necrotic segments: 5/105 (5%), 4/63 (6%), 8/52 (15%) and 8/39 (20%) patients with four, five, six and seven necrotic segments, respectively. The analysis of additional variables in survived vs. deceased patients demonstrated a significant difference in echocardiographic end-diastolic diameter (27 +/- 8 vs. 31.9 +/- 1.9 mm/m2, P < 0.001) and in wall motion score index (2.2 +/- 0.1 vs. 2.4 +/- 0.2, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS In high-risk patients, the extension of scintigraphic myocardial scar has a significant impact on perioperative mortality. For similar values of ejection fraction at rest, additional imaging variables, such as echocardiographic end-diastolic diameter and wall motion score index, may contribute to select those patients in whom mortality may exceed 15%.

The non-thyroidal illness syndrome (NTIS) is considered a transient and completely reversible phenomenon, but it has been shown that it may last for several days postoperatively after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. This study was undertaken to assess thyroid function 6 months after uncomplicated CABG. The thyroid profile was evaluated in 40 consecutive patients undergoing CABG preoperatively, at 0, 12, 48, and 120 h postoperatively, and at 6-month follow-up. Triiodothyronine (T3), free T3 (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were assayed using a microparticle enzyme immunoassay. T4 and total serum thyroid hormone-binding capacity (T-uptake) were measured on the same samples using a fluorescence polarization immunoassay. Patients with severe systemic illness and patients treated with amiodarone were excluded. All patients were euthyroid at admission. Mean age was 67.4+/-9.0 years. There were 31 (77.5%) men. Typical NTIS was observed in all patients, and the FT3 concentration was still reduced by postoperative day 5 (p

Background Cardiopulmonary bypass induces a systemic inflammatory response that may contribute to clinical morbidity. Gaseous nitric oxide at relatively low concentrations may elicit peripheral anti-inflammatory effects in addition to a reduction of pulmonary resistances. We examined the effects of 20 ppm of inhaled nitric oxide administered for 8 hours during and after cardiopulmonary bypass. Methods and results Twenty-nine consecutive patients undergoing aortic valve replacement combined with aortocoronary bypass were randomly allocated to either 20 ppm of inhaled nitric oxide (n = 14) or no additional inhalatory treatment (n = 15). Blood samples for total creatine kinase, creatine kinase MB fraction, and troponin I measurements were collected at 4, 12, 24, and 48 hours postsurgery. In addition, we collected perioperative blood samples for measurements of circulating nitric oxide by-products and brain natriuretic peptide. Soluble P-selectin was analyzed in blood samples withdrawn from the coronary sinus before and after aortic clamping. The area under the curve of creatine kinase MB fraction ( P = .03), total creatine kinase ( P = .04), and troponin I ( P = .04) levels were significantly decreased in the nitric oxide–treated patients. Moreover, in the same group we observed blunted P-selectin and brain natriuretic peptide release ( P = .01 and P = .02, respectively). Nitric oxide inhalation consistently enhanced nitric oxide metabolite levels ( P = .01). Conclusions Nitric oxide, when administered as a gas at low concentration, is able to blunt the release of markers of myocardial injury and to antagonize the left ventricular subclinical dysfunction during and immediately after cardiopulmonary bypass. The organ protection could be mediated, at least in part, by its anti-inflammatory properties.

Congestive heart failure is a lethal condition that affects an increasing number of patients. In recent years a great amount of data have accumulated on the pathophysiology and medical and surgical therapy of this condition. In spite of the advances in its management and the great number of patients affected, common errors are still made by internists and cardiologists in the use of drugs and therapeutic strategies. Digitalis has only recently been shown to affect hemodynamics, exercise capacity, and clinical symptoms, but the effects on survival still have to be demonstrated. Loop diuretics, eventually combined with thiazides and antialdosterone drugs in patients with clinical signs and symptoms of fluid retention, are the mainstays of therapy of congestive heart failure. In order to make diuretic therapy efficacious, moderate salt and water intake restriction is mandatory. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are now considered unavoidable drugs in the management of heart failure, and an attempt to reach the doses that have been shown to be efficacious for survival in the large trials has to be made in every patient with this condition. Other vasodilators, such as hydralazine and nitrates, which show a less pronounced effect on survival but more effective hemodynamic actions than ACE inhibitors, may be used to control mitral insufficiency or to improve hemodynamics in very sick patients. Hemodynamic instability refractory to increasing doses of vasodilators and diuretics is a severe condition that requires hospital admission to administer drugs parenterally. These patients are usually treated with the combination of catecholamines and phosphodiesterase inhibitors associated with intravenous diuretics until clinical stability is again achieved and oral therapy is resumed and restructured. The use of aggressive pharmacological therapy and phosphodiesterase inhibitors has reduced the need for assisted circulatory support in these patients. Beta-blockers have shown promising results when administered to patients with heart failure, although a definitive demonstration of their effects on survival is still lacking. Other additional measures that need to be considered in patients with end-stage congestive heart failure are the use of antiarrhythmic drugs and anticoagulation.

Background Traditionally, in patients with mitral regurgitation (MR) a successful mitral valve repair is considered when residual MR by post-pump transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is less than moderate or absent. Little is known about the prognostic value of less than moderate (mild or mild-to-moderate) residual MR for the early outcome of patients treated with mitral valve repair. Methods Eligible for this study were patients undergoing isolated mitral valve repair. Patients with moderate or severe residual MR after valve repair were excluded. The primary endpoint of the study was the composite of death or need of reintervention. Results A total of 98 patients (54 with no residual MR-Group 1, and 44 with less than moderate residual MR-Group 2) were analyzed. Of these, 72% presented with New York Heart Association (NYHA) 3/4, and 38% were women. The primary endpoint of the study occurred in 3 (5.5%) patients in Group 1 and 6 (13.6%) patients in Group 2 MR (P = 0.31). There was a trend toward a higher incidence of use of inotropic drugs post-interventional (P = 0.12), and a longer hospital stay among patients with less than moderate residual MR (P = 0.18). Conclusion In our study population, patients with less than moderate residual MR had a trend toward a higher risk of early adverse outcomes as compared with patients with no residual MR by post-pump TEE. Studies with a larger patient population and longer follow-up data may be useful to better define the clinical significance of residual mild MR after mitral vale repair.

Objective To compare the outcomes of right minithoracotomy (RT) versus ministernotomy (MS) in patients undergoing minimally invasive aortic valve replacement (AVR). Methods From January 2005 to December 2011, 406 patients underwent minimally invasive AVR, of whom 251 patients were in the RT group and 155 were in the MS group. Results The overall in-hospital mortality was 1.2% with no difference between the 2 groups (1.2% in RT vs 1.3% in MS). Patients undergoing minimally invasive AVR using RT had a lower incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation (19.5% vs 34.2%, P = .01), shorter ventilation time (median, 7 vs 8 hours; interquartile range, 5-9 vs 6-12 hours, P = .003), intensive care unit stay (median 1 vs 1 day; interquartile range, 1-1 vs 1-2 days; P = .001), and hospital stay (median, 5 vs 6 days; interquartile range, 5-6 vs 5-8 days; P = .0001). No difference was found in terms of cardiopulmonary time, crossclamping time, postoperative stroke, re-exploration for bleeding, or blood transfusion. Conclusions Minimally invasive AVR using RT was associated with lower postoperative morbidities and a shorter hospital stay than MS.