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Managing patients with thoracoabdominal aneurysms is demanding yet fascinating, and requires a team effort. This invited talk presents lessons learned as our history with open and endovascular procedures evolved for 2578 descending and thoracoabdominal repairs over the past 20 years.Beginning in 1985 with an analysis of 596 traumatic aortic ruptures and the risk of spinal cord ischemia, the evolution of research and procedures for thoracoabdominal aneurysms progressed. The focus of these studies, medication trials, and procedure adjustments was on lowering the risk of spinal cord ischemia.Between January 2002 and December 2021, 2578 aneurysm repairs were performed. The respective mortality rates were 6.8% and 4.0% for all patients treated. The permanent spinal cord ischemia rates were 1.3% for open descending thoracic aortas and 4.9% for open thoracoabdominal aneurysms. A detailed analysis of open and thoracoabdominal repairs showed better long-term outcomes with open repairs.Through multiple randomized trials and innovations with procedures and techniques, the risk of death and spinal cord ischemia have been reduced. Long-term survival has also been improved. The pursuit of reducing the risks of descending and ascending thoracoabdominal repairs is a fascinating endeavor that has resulted in better patient outcomes. Nevertheless, this is a journey, and there will always be more room to achieve even better results.

Despite living closer to high-performing centers, minority patients reportedly receive care at lower-quality hospitals. Investigating opportunities for improvement at minority-serving hospitals may help attenuate disparities in care among cardiothoracic surgery patients. We sought to investigate the relationship between hospital quality and failure to rescue (FTR).Over 451,000 cardiac surgery patients from 2000 to 2011 at minority-serving hospitals (MSHs) were identified from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample. After stratifying patients by hospital mortality quartile, outcomes at poorly performing MSHs were compared with those at high-performing MSHs. Propensity score matching was used for comparisons.Though patients at poorly performing centers were more likely Black, there were no significant differences in admission status (urgent vs elective), income, insurance, or risk before matching. There were no differences in comorbidities between low-performing and high-performing MSHs including chronic lung disease, coagulopathy, hypertension, and renal failure. While complications remained similar across mortality quartiles (29%, 32%, 31%, and 36%, respectively; P.0001), FTR increased in a stepwise manner (5.4%, 8.7%, 11.2%, and 15.5%, respectively; P.0001). The same was true after propensity score matching-FTR nearly tripled in the highest-mortality centers (14.4% vs 5.3%; P.0001), while complications only increased 1.2-fold from 31.1% to 36.7% (P = .0058). This finding persisted even when stratified by procedure type and by complication.Improving timely management of complications after cardiac surgery may serve as a promising opportunity for increasing quality of care at MSHs. When considering centralization of care in cardiac surgery, equal emphasis should be placed on collaboration between tertiary care centers and low-quality MSHs to mitigate disparities in care.

Owing to the opioid epidemic, more cardiac surgery patients present with opioid use disorder (OUD). A better understanding of national readmissions among these patients is necessary to improve outcomes and optimize resource utilization. We sought to examine the effect of OUD on readmission after cardiac surgery.Of 555 394 cardiac surgery patients from 2016 to 2017 in the Nationwide Readmissions Database, 6082 (1.1%) presented with OUD. These patients were assessed at 30, 90, and 180 days after discharge. The OUD patients and non-OUD patients were propensity score matched for patient- and procedure-level characteristics. Kaplan-Meier curves were compared using the log rank test.First-time readmissions were significantly higher among patients with OUD (30 days 19.7% vs 15.7%, P = .04; 90 days 31.8% vs 24.2%, P.0001; and 180 days 42.3% vs 30.6%, P.0001). There was a trend toward higher reoperation by 180 days, with 90% of those being isolated valve surgery. By 180 days, significantly more OUD patients had three or more readmissions (7.8% vs 4.5%) compared with non-OUD patients. Yet, only 2.4% of OUD patients received any counseling or treatment for substance abuse during the index admission. The most common readmitting diagnosis was infection (55% vs 41%, P.0001) including endocarditis, prosthetic infections, and skin or subcutaneous infections. Respiratory failure, opioid overdose, and acute pain were also more common among patients with OUD.Cardiac surgery patients with OUD have multiple readmissions but are rarely provided adequate addiction management during their index admission. Greater emphasis on multidisciplinary management is necessary to limit costs and morbidity associated with readmission or reoperation.

Background Transfemoral access is the most common approach for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). However, a subset of patients require alternative access. This study describes the evolution and outcomes of alternative-access TAVR at Cleveland Clinic. Methods From January 2006 to January 2019, 2446 patients underwent TAVR, 414 (17%) through alternative access (247 transapical, 95 transaortic, 56 transaxillary, 2 transcarotid, 10 transiliac, 4 transcaval). Patients undergoing alternative-access TAVR had high preoperative risk. Propensity-matched comparisons were targeted at comparing transfemoral versus transaxillary approaches since 2012. Results Over time, the favored alternative-access approach shifted from transapical and transaortic to transaxillary. Pacemaker requirement was similar for alternative-access and transfemoral approaches. Compared with transfemoral access, major vascular injuries were higher in the alternative-access group (12 [2.9%] vs 27 [1.3%], P = .02), but minor vascular injuries were lower (13 [3.1%] vs 198 [9.8%], P Conclusions The transaxillary approach has emerged as our preferred alternative-access strategy for TAVR. It is associated with superior operative outcomes compared with transthoracic approaches, and results are comparable with those of the transfemoral approach.

Objectives The COMMENCE trial was conducted to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of an aortic bioprosthesis with novel RESILIA tissue (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, Calif). Reports of early noncalcific valve failure resulting from thrombosis or leaflet tears in other valves warrant careful evaluation of early valve performance. Methods Patients underwent clinically indicated surgical aortic valve replacement with the Edwards Pericardial Aortic Bioprosthesis, Model 11000A (Edwards Lifesciences) in a prospective, multinational, multicenter (n = 27), single-arm, Food and Drug Administration Investigational Device Exemption trial. Events were adjudicated by an independent clinical events committee; echocardiograms were analyzed by an independent core laboratory. Results Between January 2013 and March 2016, 689 patients received the study valve. Mean age was 67.0 ± 11.6 years. Mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons predicted risk of mortality was 2.0% ± 1.8%. Follow-up duration was 3.7 ± 1.2 years, with a total of 2533 patient years of follow-up and a median follow-up of 4 years. Early all-cause mortality was 1.2%, thromboembolism 2.3%, all bleeding 1.0%, and major paravalvular leak 0.1%. One- and 4-year actuarial freedom from all-cause mortality was 97.7% (95% confidence interval, 96.5%-98.8%) and 91.9% (95% confidence interval, 89.7%-94.1%), respectively. At 4 years, New York Heart Association functional class improved compared with baseline in 63.0%, effective orifice area was 1.5 ± 0.5 cm2, and mean gradient was 11.0 ± 5.6 mm Hg. Freedom from moderate or greater transvalvular insufficiency was 99.7%. There were no events of structural valve deterioration. Conclusions Safety and hemodynamic performance of this aortic bioprosthesis with RESILIA tissue at 4 years are favorable. This novel tissue does not appear to result in unexpected early thrombosis events or noncalcific structural valve deterioration.

The aims of this study were to characterize the interplay between mixed aortic valve disease (MAVD) phenotypes (defined by concomitant severities of aortic stenosis and aortic regurgitation) and left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS), and to assess the prognostic utility of LV-GLS in MAVD.Little is known about the way LV-GLS separates MAVD phenotypes and if it is associated with their outcomes.This observational cohort study evaluated 783 consecutive adult patients with left ventricular ejection fraction ≥50% and MAVD, which was defined as coexisting with at least moderate aortic stenosis and at least moderate aortic regurgitation. We measured the conventional echocardiographic variables and average LV-GLS from apical long, 2- and 4-chamber views. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality.Mean age of patients was 69 ± 15 years, and 58% were male. Mean LV-GLS was -14.7 ± 2.9%. In total, 458 patients (59%) underwent aortic valve replacement at a median period of 50 days (25th to 75th percentile range: 6 to 560 days). During a median follow-up period of 5.6 years (25th to 75th percentile range: 1.8 to 9.4 years), 391 patients (50%) died. When stratified patients into tertiles according to LV-GLS values, patients with worse LV-GLS had worse outcomes (p 0.001). LV-GLS was independently associated with mortality (hazard ratio: 1.09; 95% confidential intervals: 1.04 to 1.14; p 0.001), with the relationship between LV-GLS and mortality being linear.LV-GLS is associated with all-cause mortality. LV-GLS may be useful for risk stratification in patients with MAVD.

Background The value of allografts for aortic root replacement is controversial, with recent concern about limited durability. Currently, we prefer allografts for invasive infective endocarditis. Purposes of this study were to assess allograft performance and durability in our cumulative experience with aortic allografts. Methods From January 1987 to January 2017, 2042 adults received 2110 aortic allograft root replacements at our institution: 986 (47%) for infective endocarditis (669 [68%] for prosthetic valve endocarditis) and 1124 (53%) for other indications. Mean recipient age was 54 ± 15 years, and mean allograft donor age was 35 ± 13 years. Follow-up was 85% complete and comprised 17,253 patient-years of data. Longitudinal allograft performance was extracted from 6339 available echocardiographic studies. Durability was assessed by explant for allograft structural failure. Results Allograft mean gradient at hospital discharge was 6 mm Hg and 9, 13, and 15 mm Hg at 5, 10, and 15 years post-implant, respectively. Severe aortic regurgitation was 0% at hospital discharge, but 14%, 25%, and 35% at 5, 10, and 15 years, respectively. A total of 405 allografts were explanted for structural failure, actuarially 2%, 14%, 34%, and 51% at 5, 10, 15, and 20 years, respectively. Risk factors for structural failure were younger recipient age, larger body surface area, hypertension, and thoracic aorta disease; donor factors were older age and larger allograft size. Implant for infective endocarditis was not associated with accelerated structural failure. Conclusions This study affirms allografts’ long-term acceptable hemodynamic performance and durability. Concern about structural failure should not limit allograft use. Recipient hypertension, allograft size, and donor age are modifiable risk factors.

Reports of early failure of the Trifecta externally wrapped, bovine pericardial aortic valve prosthesis (Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL) raise concerns about its durability. This study evaluated the hemodynamic performance and explant of Trifecta valves compared with the PERIMOUNT bovine pericardial prosthesis (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA).From October 2007 to July 2017, 2305 patients received a Trifecta bioprosthesis during aortic valve replacement at Cleveland Clinic. Trends in postoperative valve hemodynamics were assessed from 4971 transthoracic echocardiograms and valve explants by systemic follow-up. To compare outcomes, 2298 patients receiving a Trifecta valve were 1:1 propensity matched from 17,281 patients receiving a PERIMOUNT bioprosthesis.Mean age at implant was 69 years in both matched groups. Compared with PERIMOUNT valves, early transvalvular mean gradient of Trifecta valves was lower (11 vs 15 mm Hg at 1 year, P.001); however, its longitudinal rate of rise was greater (P.001), resulting in 5-year mean gradients of 17 vs 16 mm Hg, and more patients experienced severe aortic regurgitation (2.4% vs 0.81%; P.001). At 5 years, 35 Trifecta valves had been explanted vs 14 PERIMOUNT valves; freedom from explant at 1, 3, and 5 years was 98.9%, 98.0%, and 95.9%, respectively, for the Trifecta group vs 99.3%, 99.0%, and 98.7% for the PERIMOUNT group (P.001).Compared with an older-generation internally mounted bovine pericardial valve, the Trifecta externally wrapped bioprosthesis exhibits superior early hemodynamic performance, but has a rapid increase in transvalvular gradient and more aortic regurgitation, with lower freedom from explant at 5 years. These findings raise concern regarding long-term Trifecta durability despite favorable early hemodynamics.

Background This study compares outcomes of conventional and less-invasive (LI) approaches for aortic valve replacement (AVR) using The Society of Thoracic Surgeons database. Methods Between 2011 and 2017, we identified 122,474 patients undergoing isolated primary AVR. Patients were categorized into 3 groups: (1) full sternotomy (FS) (n = 98,549; 78%), (2) partial sternotomy (PS) (n = 17,306; 15%), and (3) right thoracotomy (RT) (n = 6619; 7%). Results The rate of LI-AVR increased from 17% in 2011 to 23% in 2016 (P Conclusions Less-invasive AVR is associated with an operative mortality and postoperative stroke rate similar to that of FS. Less-invasive AVRs should serve as a benchmark for comparison between transcatheter aortic valve replacement and surgical AVR in low-risk patients.

Data on the impact of economic status on Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and MitraClip (MC) is lacking. Patients who underwent TAVI and/or MC during 2012 to 2017 were identified in the Nationwide Readmission Database and divided by zip code estimated income quartile into 4 groups (Q1 to Q4). The utilization of TAVI and/or MC was defined as the number of TAVIs and/or MCs over all admissions with an aortic and/or mitral valve disease (AVD and/or MVD) and represented per 1,000 admissions. A total of 168,853 patients underwent TAVI; 20.6% in Q1, 26.3% in Q2, 27.3% in Q3, and 25.8% in Q4, while 15,387 patients underwent MC; 22% in Q1, 26.2% in Q2, 26.3% in Q3, and 25.5% in Q4. The annual utilization of TAVIs and/or MCs increased over the study period and was generally lower with lower income. In 2012, TAVI was performed for 8.2, 8.8, 10.8, and 11.3 per 1,000 AVD admissions in Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4, respectively. In 2017, TAVI was performed for 54.1, 65.1, 68.6, and 71 per 1,000 AVD admissions in Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4, respectively. In 2014, MC was performed for 1.6, 2.1, 1.8, and 1.9 per 1,000 MVD admissions in Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4, respectively. In 2017, MC was performed for 5.6, 6.5, 8, and 8 per 1,000 MVD admissions in Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4, respectively. In-hospital mortality, stroke, and 30-day readmissions were generally comparable across groups. Lower-income patients may be underrepresented among patients undergoing TAVI and MC despite comparable outcomes. Further studies are needed to examine the etiologies behind these disparities and identify targeted strategies for its mitigation.

Background: There has been an explosion in the clinical application of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) worldwide. While moderate and severe grades of paravalvular regurgitation (PVR) ...

Failure to rescue (FTR) is gaining popularity as a quality metric. The relationship between patient frailty and FTR after cardiovascular surgery has not been fully explored. This study aimed to utilize a national database to examine the impact of patient frailty on FTR.Of 5,199,534 patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery between 2000 and 2014, 75,851 (1.5%) were identified from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database as frail based on the Johns Hopkins Adjusted Clinical Groups frailty-defining diagnoses indicator. Propensity-score matching was used to adjust for patient- and hospital-level characteristics and comorbidities when comparing frail and nonfrail patients.Frail patients were on average older (68 ± 12 years vs 65 ± 12 years; P.001) and had more comorbidities including heart failure, and chronic lung, liver, or renal disease. Among 68,472 matched pairs, frail patients had significantly higher rates of FTR (13.4% vs 11.9%; P .001). This contributed to a $39,796 increase in cost per hospitalization (P.001). Renal failure, respiratory failure, pneumonia, and sepsis were most commonly associated with FTR in frail patients. When hospitals were stratified by risk-adjusted mortality, low-mortality (1st quintile) centers had significantly lower FTR rates and costs among frail patients when compared to high-mortality (5th quintile) centers.Frailty contributes significantly to FTR after cardiovascular surgery. Frail patients can expect better outcomes with lower costs at cardiac surgical centers of excellence that can adequately manage postoperative outcomes. Preoperative assessment of frailty may better guide risk estimation and identification of patients who would benefit from appropriate prehabilitative interventions to optimize outcomes.

Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) have risk factors that predispose to thoracic aneurysmal disease (TAD) and atherosclerosis. In this study in patients with AF, we assessed the occurrence of incidental TAD and assessed if a validated predictive score used to predict AF, the CHARGE-AF score, was associated with greater aortic dimensions. We also assessed the prevalence of coronary calcification. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 1,000 consecutive patients with AF undergoing chest multidetector CT during evaluation for pulmonary vein isolation. A dilated aortic root or ascending aorta (AA, dimension/ body surface area >2.05 cm/m2) were found in 195 (20%). A total of 12 (1%) had significant aortic aneurysmal enlargement of > 5.0 cm. Advancing age, a bicuspid aortic valve, hypertension, and male gender were associated with increased aortic dimensions. Aortic root dimensions increased linearly (p < 0.001) and ascending aortic dimensions increased nonlinearly across CHARGE-AF deciles (p < 0.001). Nearly two-thirds (63%) had coronary calcification, 38% of whom were not on lipid-lowering therapy. In conclusion, in patients with AF undergoing gated chest CT, 1 in 5 had previously undetected TAD, with a small proportion having significantly aneurysmal dimensions approaching surgical thresholds. Risk factors previously established to increase the propensity to develop AF are also associated with increased TAD. These findings raise the need to consider a surveillance strategy for TAD in patients with AF, particularly in those with other risk factors for aortic disease. A high prevalence of coronary calcium was also detected, representing an opportunity to optimize statin therapy in patients with AF.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a safe and feasible alternative to surgery in patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis regardless of the surgical risk. Conduction abnormalities requiring permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation remain a common finding after TAVR due to the close proximity of the atrioventricular conduction system to the aortic root. High-grade atrioventricular block and new onset left bundle branch block (LBBB) are the most commonly reported conduction abnormalities after TAVR. The overall rate of PPM implantation after TAVR varies and is related to pre-procedural and intraprocedural factors. The available literature regarding the impact of conduction abnormalities and PPM requirement on morbidity and mortality is still conflicting. Pre-procedural conduction abnormalities such as right bundle branch block and LBBB have been linked with increased PPM implantation and mortality after TAVR. When screening patients for TAVR, heart teams should be aware of various anatomical and pathophysiological conditions that make patients more susceptible to increased risk of conduction abnormalities and PPM requirement after the procedure. This is particularly important as TAVR has been recently approved for patients with low surgical risk. The purpose of this review is to discuss the incidence, predictors, impact, and management of the various conduction abnormalities requiring PPM implantation in patients undergoing TAVR.

Background Little is known about graft patency after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) performed in patients on dialysis. Our aim was to assess patency of internal thoracic artery (ITA) grafts and saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) in these patients. Methods From 1/1997 to 1/2018, 500 patients on dialysis underwent primary CABG with or without concomitant procedures at Cleveland Clinic, 40 of whom had 48 postoperative angiograms for recurrent ischemic symptoms. Complete follow-up was obtained on all but 1 patient lost to follow-up 1 y after CABG. Thirty-six ITA grafts and 65 SVGs were evaluable for stenosis and occlusion. Results Two of 40 patients (5%) had emergency CABG; 3 (7.5%) with calcified aortas had a change in operative strategy to avoid ascending aortic manipulation, 2 (5%) had poor conduit quality, and 12 (30%) had severe diffuse atherosclerotic disease with calcification of the coronary targets causing technical difficulties. Thirty-three patients (82%) were bypassed with an in situ ITA and 3 (7.5%) had a free ITA graft. Three of 36 ITA grafts were occluded at 0.78, 1.8, and 9.4 y (too few to model). SVG patency was 52% and 37% at 1 and 2 y, respectively. Conclusions Among patients on dialysis who underwent CABG, coronary angiography for ischemic symptoms in a select subset revealed that SVG patency was lower than expected from published reports in the general CABG population and may contribute to the poor prognosis of this cohort. Further work is needed to guide graft selection and improve graft patency in dialysis patients.

Staphylococcus aureus remains the most common cause of sternal surgical site infections (SSIs). Opinions on the postoperative implications of preoperative methicillin-resistant S aureus (MRSA) colonization currently differ. This study aimed to investigate whether MRSA carriage affects postoperative outcomes and safety of operation.A total of 1,774,811 cardiac surgical patients from 2009 to 2014 were identified from the National Inpatient Sample database. Among these patients, 5798 (0.33%) were MRSA carriers. Propensity-score matching was used to determine the effect of MRSA colonization on outcomes.MRSA carriers did not differ in age or sex from noncarriers, but they more often presented for urgent surgery (P .001). Among matched pairs, there was no difference in mortality (P = .76), stroke, SSIs, pneumonia, renal failure, cardiac complications, respiratory failure, or prolonged mechanical ventilation. MRSA infection (P.001), MRSA septicemia (P = 0.03), and blood transfusion (P = .003) occurred more often among MRSA carriers. There was no increase in cost (P = .12), but the hospital length of stay was longer (P = .005). Predictors of MRSA infection among carriers included age older than 85 years, rural hospital location, and diabetes. Carriers with endocarditis and drug abuse were at highest risk for MRSA infection.MRSA carriers undergoing cardiac surgery are not at higher risk for mortality or SSIs and can expect outcomes similar to those of noncarriers. Higher rates of postoperative MRSA infection and septicemia among carriers, although still very low, support the need for selective preoperative screening and prophylaxis when possible.

Background Vitamin K antagonists are the only approved oral anticoagulants for long-term prophylaxis against valve thrombosis and thromboembolism in patients with a mechanical heart valve. Despite the proven efficacy and safety of anticoagulation with the oral direct factor Xa inhibitor apixaban compared with warfarin in high-risk populations including subjects with atrial fibrillation or with venous thromboembolism, it remains unknown whether patients with a mechanical heart valve can be safely managed with apixaban. The On-X Aortic Heart Valve and On-X Ascending Aortic Prosthesis with the Vascutek Gelweave Valsalva Graft may have lower rates of valve thrombosis and thromboembolism than conventional bileaflet and tilting disc valves due its unique pyrolytic carbon composition and flared inlet design. Design PROACT Xa is a randomized, multicenter, open-label, active-controlled trial comparing apixaban with warfarin in patients with an On-X Aortic Heart Valve or On-X Ascending Aortic Prosthesis with the Vascutek Gelweave Valsalva Graft. The study will randomize approximately 1,000 patients from approximately 60 sites in North America who underwent aortic valve replacement at least 3 months prior. Patients will be randomized 1:1 to receiving apixaban 5 mg twice daily or warfarin with a target international normalized ratio of 2.0-3.0. The last randomized participant will be followed for at least 2 years. The primary efficacy outcome is the composite of valve thrombosis and valve-related thromboembolism, and the primary safety outcome is major bleeding. Assuming the primary outcome occurs in warfarin-anticoagulated patients at a rate of 1.75%/patient-year, the study has more than 90% power to assess noninferiority of apixaban treatment with an absolute noninferiority margin of 1.75%/patient-year. A second co-primary analysis is to compare the hazard rate for the apixaban arm to twice the objective performance criterion for thromboembolism and valve thrombosis, that is, 3.4%/patient-year. Summary PROACT Xa will determine whether patients with an On-X Aortic Heart Valve can be anticoagulated with apixaban as an alternative to warfarin.

Background The "weekend effect" is a purported phenomenon whereby patients admitted for time-sensitive medical and surgical conditions on a weekend suffer worse outcomes than those admitted on a weekday. There are limited data on the weekend effect for nonelective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods We studied outcomes for weekend vs weekday operations for all adult patients in the 2013 to 2014 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) undergoing nonelective CABG. Results Of 101,510 patients undergoing nonelective CABG, 12,795 patients (12.6%) underwent CABG on the day of admission (n = 1230 for weekend and 11,565 for weekday admission, respectively). Patients undergoing surgical procedures on a weekend were more likely to have a diagnosis of ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (47.2% vs 20.2%, P Conclusions Patients undergoing CABG on a weekend had higher crude mortality but similar risk-adjusted mortality compared with their weekday counterparts. Some of the excess mortality observed for weekend operations is likely attributable to a sicker cohort of patients undergoing CABG on the weekend.

Increasing use of bioprostheses for surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in younger patients, together with wider use of transcatheter aortic valve replacement, necessitates understanding risks associated with surgical valve reintervention. Therefore, we sought to identify risks of reoperative SAVR compared with those of primary isolated SAVR.From January 1980 to July 2017, 7037 patients underwent nonemergency isolated SAVR, with 753 reoperations and 6284 primary isolated operations. These 2 groups were propensity score-matched on 46 preoperative variables, yielding 581 patient pairs for comparing outcomes.Among propensity score-matched patients, aortic clamp time (median 63 vs 52 minutes; P .0001), cardiopulmonary bypass time (median 88 vs 67 minutes; P .0001), and postoperative stay (median 7.1 vs 6.9 days; P = .003) were longer for reoperative SAVR than primary isolated SAVR. Hospital mortality after reoperative SAVR decreased from 3.4% in 1985 to 1.3% in 2011, similar to that of primary isolated SAVR. Occurrence of stroke, deep sternal wound infection, and new renal dialysis was similar. Blood transfusion (67% vs 36%; P .0001) and reoperations for bleeding/tamponade (6.4% vs 3.1%; P = .009) were more common after reoperative SAVR. Survival at 1, 5, 10, and 20 years was 94%, 82%, 64%, and 33% after reoperative SAVR and 95%, 86%, 72%, and 46% after elective primary isolated SAVR.Risk of mortality and morbidity after reoperative SAVR has declined and is now similar to that of primary isolated SAVR. Decisions regarding prosthesis choice and SAVR versus transcatheter aortic valve replacement should be made in the context of lifelong disease management rather than avoidance of reoperation.

This study sought to identify the optimal temperature for moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest in patients undergoing elective hemiarch replacement with antegrade brain perfusion.The Society of Thoracic Surgeons adult cardiac surgery database was queried for elective hemiarch replacements using antegrade brain perfusion for aneurysmal disease (2014-2019). Generalized estimating equations and restricted cubic splines were used to determine the risk-adjusted relationships between temperature as a continuous variable and outcomes.Elective hemiarch replacement with antegrade brain perfusion occurred in 3898 patients at 374 centers with a median nadir temperature of 24.9 °C (first quartile, third quartile = 22.0 °C, 27.5 °C) and median circulatory arrest time of 19 minutes (first quartile, third quartile = 14.0 minutes, 27.0 minutes). After adjustment for comorbidities, circulatory arrest time, and individual surgeon, patients cooled between 25 and 28 °C had an early survival advantage compared with 24 °C, whereas those cooled between 21 and 23 °C had higher risks of mortality compared with 24 °C. A nadir temperature of 27 °C was associated with the lowest risk-adjusted odds of mortality (odds ratio, 0.62; 95% confidence interval, 0.42-0.91). A nadir temperature of 21 °C had the highest risk of mortality (odds ratio, 1.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.13-1.73). Risk of experiencing a major morbidity was elevated in patients cooled between 21 and 23 °C, with the highest risk occurring in patients cooled to 21 °C (odds ratio, 1.12; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.24).For patients with aneurysmal disease undergoing elective hemiarch with antegrade brain perfusion, circulatory arrest with a nadir temperature of 27 °C confers the greatest early survival benefit and smallest risk of postoperative morbidity.

The importance of a coronary artery, based on the myocardial mass it perfuses, is well documented, but little is known about the importance of a vessel that has been bypassed and its effect on survival in the context of bilateral internal thoracic artery (BITA) grafting.This study determined the effect of a dominant left anterior descending (LAD) artery and important non-LAD targets on outcomes after BITA grafting.From January 1972 to January 2011, of 6,127 patients who underwent BITA grafting, 2,551 received 1 ITA grafted to the LAD and had an evaluable coronary angiogram. A dominant LAD was defined as one that was wrapped around the left ventricular apex. Non-LAD targets were graded based on their terminal reach toward the apex: important:75% (n = 1,698); and less important: ≤75% (n = 853). Mean follow-up was 14 ± 8.7 years. Multivariable analysis was performed to identify risk factors for time-related mortality.A dominant LAD was present more frequently in patients with less important additional targets (51% vs. 35%; p 0.0001). A total of 179 patients (7.0%) received a second ITA to multiple targets, 77 (43%) of which were to multiple important target vessels. Unadjusted late survival was similar regardless of degree of importance of the second ITA target-77% at 15 years (p = 0.70) for the important and less important targets, respectively. In the multivariable model, grafting the second ITA to multiple important targets was associated with better long-term survival (p = 0.005). In patients with a nondominant LAD, a second ITA grafted to a less important artery was associated with higher risk of operative mortality (2.4% vs. 0.51%; p = 0.007). A saphenous vein graft to an important or less important target did not influence long-term survival.In BITA grafting, bypassing multiple important targets to maximize myocardium supplied by ITAs improved long-term survival. In patients with a nondominant LAD, selecting an important target for the second ITA lowered operative mortality.

Background: Structural valve deterioration (SVD) is the Achilles heel of bioprosthetic valves used for aortic valve replacement (AVR). SVD has been traditionally defined based upon the requirement ...

Objectives This study sought to determine whether baseline left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS) and changes in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in a subgroup of subjects at post-operative follow-up added prognostic value in patients undergoing aortic valve (AV) surgery. Background In patients with chronic severe aortic regurgitation (AR) and preserved LVEF, sensitive markers are needed to decide timing of AV surgery. Methods This was an observational study in 865 patients (asymptomatic/mildly symptomatic, 52 ± 15 years of age, 79% men) with ≥3+ chronic AR and preserved LVEF of ≥50% who underwent AV surgery between 2003 and 2015. All patients had baseline echocardiography (and LV-GLS imaging), whereas 285 patients underwent post-operative echocardiography (including LV-GLS). Primary outcome was mortality. Results Only 478 patients (56%) patients had preoperative LV-GLS values better than −19%, despite a mean LVEF of 57 ± 4%. At a median 38 days, 632 patients underwent AV replacement, whereas 233 patients had AV repair. At a median follow-up of 6.95 (interquartile range [IQR]: 5.2 to 9.1) years, 105 patients (12%) died (2% in-hospital deaths). A higher proportion of patients with baseline LV-GLS grades worse than −19% died versus those whose LV-GLS score was better (15% vs. 10%; p Conclusions In patients with ≥3+ chronic AR and preserved LVEF undergoing AV surgery, a baseline LV-GLS value worse than −19% was associated with reduced survival. In a subgroup of patients who returned for 3- and 12-month follow-up examinations, persistently impaired LV-GLS was associated with increased mortality.

Kommerell diverticulum (KD) is an uncommon congenital vascular anomaly. This study assessed outcomes of open and endovascular repair of this disorder.Between 1997 and 2016, 152 adult patients presented with KD at Cleveland Clinic (Cleveland, OH), 87 had no intervention, and 65 underwent open repair (n = 55; 19 elephant trunk [ET] procedures [9 with aortic dissection], including 7 frozen ET, and completions with 5 thoracic endovascular aortic repairs, 2 open, and 5 lost to follow-up) or endovascular procedures (n = 10). Non-ET open KD repairs consisted of resection (n = 15), interposition graft (n = 16), patch (n = 4), or aortopexy (n = 1). Maximum KD diameter was 2.1 cm for nonsurgical patients and 3.2 cm for surgical patients. Among surgical patients, 51 of 65 had dysphagia or dyspnea. A total of 608 patient-years of follow-up were available.For patients who underwent open and endovascular procedures, after multivariable adjustment, symptoms of dysphagia and hypertension predicted the likelihood of surgery (P.05, all). There was no operative mortality. Complications included nondisabling stroke (n = 5; 8%), tracheostomy (n = 3; 4.6%), vocal cord paralysis (n = 2; 3%), and reoperation for bleeding (n = 3; 4.6%). During follow-up, 3 of 10 patients treated with hybrid or endovascular procedures required reinterventions for endoleaks. One patient had residual symptoms after aortopexy. Among nonsurgical patients, 2 patients refused surgery, and 1 died of aortic rupture, with a 4.7-cm descending aorta and a 3.4-cm KD. Seven additional patients died of nonaortic comorbidities. The remaining patients were asymptomatic, with an aortic diameter smaller than 4.5 cm.Open and endovascular approaches have a high success rate and low mortality risk. Selection of the specific type of intervention should be based on patient anatomy, additional needed procedures, and comorbid conditions.

Background Unlike coronary artery bypass and aortic and mitral valve procedures, there is no predictive risk model for aortic root replacement procedures. As a first step toward development of a risk model, this study analyzed The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Adult Cardiac Surgery Database to determine factors predictive of mortality and morbidity in patients undergoing elective aortic root replacement (ARR). Methods The STS database was queried (from July 2011 to June 2016) for elective ARR with the following exclusion criteria: urgent or salvage cases, endocarditis, redo cardiac surgery, circulatory arrest, and aortic arch surgery. Adjusted multivariate logistic regression models for outcomes of mortality and composite STS morbidity were performed using covariates of the STS aortic valve risk set (expressed as odds ratios [ORs]). Results Of 24,244 patients undergoing ARR, 8,807 (77.6% male) met inclusion criteria in 808 centers; 33.7% (n = 2,965) had a bicuspid aortic valve, and 3.7% (n = 327) had Marfan syndrome. The median age was 58.0 years (interquartile range, 49 to 67 years). Median intensive care unit and hospital stays were 46 hours and 6 days, respectively. Significant predictors for mortality included: atrial fibrillation (OR, 2.06), body surface area (OR, 0.14), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR, 1.2), New York Heart Association class IV (OR, 2.53), diabetes (OR, 2.48), coronary artery bypass grafting (OR, 2.77), mitral valve surgery (OR, ≥2.18), and Bentall operation (OR, 2.08). Regression analysis for risk factors for STS morbidity yielded 14 significant factors. A glomerular filtration rate increase of 20 units was predictive of improved mortality (OR, 0.85) and morbidity (OR, 0.91). Conclusions Elective ARR is performed with excellent postoperative outcomes. Analysis of the STS database reveals several significant risk factors that are independently associated with increased mortality and morbidity. The investigators anticipate that future studies inclusive of the nonelective ARR cases in the database will facilitate development of a risk model for root replacement procedures.

Improved durability and preference to avoid anticoagulation have led to increasing use of bioprostheses in younger patients despite the need for eventual reoperation. Therefore, we compared in-hospital complications, reoperation, and survival after bioprosthetic and mechanical aortic valve replacement.From January 1990 to January 2020, 6143 patients underwent isolated aortic valve replacement at Cleveland Clinic; 637 patients received a mechanical prosthesis and 5506 a bioprosthesis. Propensity matching identified 527 well-matched pairs (83% of possible matches) for comparison of perioperative outcomes. The average age of patients was 54 years in the bioprosthesis group and 55 years in the mechanical prosthesis group. Random Forest machine-learning analysis was performed to compare survival using the entire cohort of 6143 patients.Among matched patients, major in-hospital complications, including stroke, deep sternal wound infection, and reoperation for bleeding, were similar, as was in-hospital mortality (2 in the bioprosthesis group [0.38%] vs 3 in the mechanical prosthesis group [0.57%]; P .9). Patients receiving a bioprosthesis had shorter hospital stays (median 6 vs 7 days, P .0001). Fifty-one patients (32% at 14 years) in the bioprosthesis group and 17 patients in the mechanical prosthesis group (8% at 14 years) underwent reoperation (P [log-rank] .0001); 5-year survival after reoperation was 85% versus 82% (P = .6). Risk-adjusted Random Forest prediction of 18-year survival was 60% in the bioprosthetic group and 58% in the mechanical prosthesis group.Aortic valve bioprostheses are associated with excellent short-term outcomes and 18-year survival similar to that of patients receiving mechanical valves. Reoperation does not adversely affect survival. These results suggest that risk for reoperation alone should not deter the use of bioprostheses in younger patients.

Surveillance metrics in pediatric and young adult Marfan syndrome (pMFS) are challenging. We evaluated the utility of aortic root cross-sectional area/height index (CSA/Ht) on echocardiogram among pMFS patients as a risk stratification and surgical triage metric.Genotype or phenotype positive pMFS patients aged 25 years or younger seen at our center from 2001 to 2020 were identified. Time-related transition to surgery was modeled using parametric methods. Predictive utility of CSA/Ht compared with aortic root diameter (ARd) and root Z score (ARz) were modeled using nonlinear multivariable parametric and nonparametric longitudinal regression models.Seventy-nine patients (43% female) presented at median age of 5.8 years (15th-85th percentile, 0.75-17 years) with median follow-up of 4.4 years (range, 0-18.5 years). Baseline echocardiography data were: CSA/Ht, 3.9 ± 1.4 cmCSA/Ht tracked ARd well over time. CSA/Ht between 5 and 7 cm