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Introduction: Cardiac disease is associated with a risk of death, both by the cardiac condition and by comorbidities. The waiting time for surgery begins with the onset of symptoms and includes referral, completion of the diagnosis and surgical waiting list (SWL). This study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected surgical capacity and patients' morbidities., Methods: The cohort includes 1914 consecutive adult patients (36.6% women, mean age 67 ±11 years), prospectively registered in the official SWL from January 2019 to December 2021. We analyzed waiting times ranging from 4 days to one year to exclude urgencies and outliers. Priority was classified by the national criteria for non-oncologic or oncology surgery., Results: During the study period, 74% of patients underwent surgery, 19.2% were still waiting, and 4.3% dropped out. Most cases were valvular (41.2%) or isolated bypass procedures (34.2%). Patients were classified as non-priority in 29.7%, priority in 61.8%, and high priority in 8.6%, with significantly different SWL mean times between groups (p<0.001). The overall mean waiting time was 167 ± 135 days. Mortality on SWL was 2.5%, or 1.1 deaths per patient/weeks. There were two mortality independent predictors: age (HR 1.05) and the year 2021 versus 2019 (HR 2.07) and a trend toward higher mortality in priority patients versus non-priority (p=0.065). The overall risk increased with time with different slopes for each year. Using the time limits for SWL in oncology, there would have been a significant risk reduction (p=0.011)., Conclusion: The increased risk observed in 2021 may be related to the pandemic, either by increasing waiting time or by direct mortality. Since risk stratification is not entirely accurate, waiting time emerges as the most crucial factor influencing mortality, and implementing stricter time limits could have led to lower mortality rates.

Introduction: Infective endocarditis morbidity and mortality remains high. Surgery is performed in about half of endocarditis cases, being the ideal setting to evaluate endocarditis lesions. The aim of this study was to register and describe endocarditis lesions found during surgery; find predictors of morbidity and mortality and correlate lesions found in echocardiogram vs. surgery., Materials and Methods: One hundred consecutive patients with endocarditis lesions seen during surgery were included between June 2014 and August 2018. Pathological lesions were coded prospectively using a coding form published by Pettersson et al. Other data were collected retrospectively., Results: Prosthetic endocarditis accounted for 23% of cases. Embolic events had occurred in 41% of cases, mainly to the brain (22%). The most frequent lesions found in echocardiogram were vegetations (77%). Vegetations and valve integrity anomalies were the main lesions described during surgery (70% and 71% respectively). Invasion was present in 39% of patients. In-hospital mortality was 9%. In univariable analysis, predictors of early mortality included chronic kidney disease (P= .005), prosthetic valve endocarditis (P <.001), EuroSCORE II (P <.001) and valve integrity anomalies (P=.016). Predictors of embolic events included aortic valve vegetations seen during surgery (P= .026). Sensitivity and specificity of echocardiogram findings for identification of vegetations were 84% and 40%, for valve integrity anomalies 42% and 97% and for invasion 54% and 95%, respectively., Conclusions: Diversity of lesions found in endocarditis precludes obtaining significant predictors of morbidity or mortality with small numbers of patients. Echocardiogram lacks sensitivity for valve integrity anomalies and invasion but is highly specific.

Aims: The aims of this study were to analyze early and late outcomes of TVS and identify predictors of short and long- term poor prognosis., Methods: Single centre retrospective study with 130 patients who underwent TVS between 2007 and 2020. Most of the patients were female (72.3%), mean age of 64.4 years; 61.1% were in New York Heart Association class III/IV, with a EuroSCORE II of 7.5%. Univariable and Multivariable analyses were undertaken to identify predictors of perioperative mortality and morbidity and long-term mortality., Results: In-hospital mortality was 10.8%, of which 7.6% were due to a cardiac cause. Diabetes Mellitus was an in- dependent predictor of increased perioperative mortality. This group had 27.7% rate of major perioperative complications. Elevated systolic pulmonary pressure and obesity were predictors of early morbidity. All-cause mortality was 43.1% for 14 years. The survival at 1, 5 and 10 years was 83%, 60% and 43%, respectively. Diabetes Mellitus was a risk factor for long-term mortality., Conclusions: Patients undergoing TVS have a high surgical risk making TVS an operation associated with high mor- tality and morbidity. This research suggests Diabetes Mellitus, pulmonary hypertension and obesity as risk factors for mortality in TVS.

Objectives: Identify risk factors for major perioperative complications (MPC) after anatomical lung resection for NonSmall-Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) and establish a scoring system., Methods: Single center retrospective study of all consecutive patients diagnosed with NSCLC submitted to anatomical lung resection from 2015 to 2019 (N=564)., Exclusion Criteria: previous lung surgery, concomitant non-lung cancer related procedures, urgency surgery., Study Population: 520 patients., Primary End-Point: MPC defined as a composite endpoint including at least one of the in-hospital complications. Univariable and Multivariable analyses were developed to identify predictors of perioperative complications and create a risk score. Discrimination was assessed using the C-statistic. Calibration was evaluated by Hosmer and Lemeshow test and internal validation was obtained by means of bootstrap replication., Results: Mean age of 65 years and 327 (62.9%) were males. Mean hospital stay of 9 days after surgery. Overall MPC rate was 23.3%. Male gender, hypertension, FEV1<75%, thoracotomy, bilobectomy/pneumectomy and additional resection were independent predictors of MPC. A risk score based on the odds ratios was developed - Major Perioperative Complications of Lung Resection (MPCLR) scoring system - and ranged between 0 and 14 points. It was divided in 5 groups: 1-2 points (positive preditive value 15%); 3-4 (PPV 25%); 5-7 (PPV 35%); 8-9 (PPV 60%); >10 points (PPV 88%). The score showed rea- sonable discrimination (C-statistic=0.70), good calibration (P=.643) and it was internally validated (C-statistic=0,70 BCa95% CI,0.65-0.79)., Conclusions: This study proposes a simple and daily-life risk score system that was able to predict the incidence of perioperative complications.

Objectives: Compare the incidence of Postoperative atrial fibrillation (PAF) after anatomical lung resection for Non- Small-Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) following open surgery versus VATS., Methods: Single center retrospective study of all consecutive patients diagnosed with NSCLC submitted to anatomical lung resection from 2015 to 2019 (N=564)., Exclusion Criteria: prior atrial fibrillation, previous lung surgery, concomitant procedures, pneumectomy, non-pulmonary resections, urgency surgery. Study population of 439 patients., Primary End-Point: incidence of PAF. Univariable analysis was used to compare the baseline characteristics of the 2 groups. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) multivariable logistic regression was used including 23 clinical variables to analyze the effect of the approach. The balance was assessed by standardized mean differences., Results: Thoracotomy was performed in 280 patients (63.8%) and 159 (36.2%) were submitted to VATS. Patients submitted to VATS were more likely to be females, had a lower prevalence of non-adenocarcinoma cancer, stage TNM IIIIV, Diabetes Mellitus, respiratory disease, and chronic heart failure. They were submitted less often to neoadjuvant therapy, bilobectomy and they presented higher levels of diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide. After IPTW adjustment, all clinical covariates were well balanced. PAF occurred in 8.6% of the patients undergoing thoracotomy and 3,8% of the patients after VATS. After IPTW adjustment, VATS was not associated with a lower incidence of PAF (OR 0.40; CI95%:0.140-1.171; p=0.095)., Conclusion: In this study, minimally invasive non-rib spreading VATS did not decrease the incidence of PAF when compared with standard thoracotomy regarding anatomical lung resection for NSCLC.

Objectives: The goal of this study is to establish the relation between aortic bio prosthesis, patient prosthesis mismatch (PPM) and short-term mortality and morbidity as well as and long-term mortality., Methods: This is a single center retrospective study with 812 patients that underwent isolated stented biologic aortic valve replacement between 2007 and 2016. The projected indexed orifice area was calculated using the in vivo previously published values. Outcomes were evaluated with the indexed effective orifice area (iEOA) as a continuous variable and/or nominal variable. Multivariable models were developed including clinically relevant co-variates., Results: In the study population 65.9% (n=535) had no PPM, 32.6% (n=265) had moderate PPM and 1.5% (n=12) severe PPM. PPM was related with diabetes (OR:1.738, CI95:1.333-2.266; p<0.001), heart failure (OR:0.387, CI95:0.155-0.969; p=0.043) and older age (OR:1.494, CI95:1.171-1.907; p=0.001). iEOA was not an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality (OR 1.169, CI 0.039-35.441) or MACCE (OR 2.753, CI 0.287-26.453). Long term survival is significantly inferior with lower iEOA (HR 0.116, CI 0.041-0.332) and any degree of PPM decreases survival when compared with no PPM (Moderate: HR 1.542, CI 1.174-2.025; Severe HR 4.627, CI 2.083-10.276)., Conclusions: PPM appears to have no impact on short-term outcomes including mortality and morbidity. At ten years follow-up, moderate or severe PPM significantly reduces the long-term survival.

Introduction: Over the past 3 decades two main strategies have been employed for surgical coronary revascularization (CABG): on- pump CABG with cardioplegia (ONCAB) and off-pump CABG (OPCAB). The objective of this study is to evaluate the short-term and long-term survival of the two strategies., Methods: This study consists of 8-year cohort, retrospective single-center analysis with an intention-to-treat design. 2954 patients underwent CABG (OPCAB n=2123; ONCAB= 831) for CAD. As these two groups were statistically different regarding several parameters, a propensity score model was applied and a more homogeneous cohort (n= 1441; OPCAB= 885; ONCAB=556) was analyzed. Univariate analysis, Kaplan-Meier curves and when appropriate a multivariate analysis was applied to the overall group and 6 subgroups: 2 vessel disease, 3 vessel disease, left stem disease, diabetic patients; patients with creatinin clearance bellow 50ml/min; and patients with body mass index above 30 kg/m2., Results: Our study show: No difference in 30-days mortality, long-term survival (mean 71 months follow-up), AKY and stroke rates; Higher rates of bypass per patient (2.3% vs 2.8%, p<0,001) and complete revascularization (76% vs 83%) in the ONCAB group; Fewer re-operation for bleeding (0.8 vs 3.8%, p<0.001), fewer peak troponin>19mg/ dl (4.7% vs 9.9%, p<0,001), and fewer IABP use (1.5% vs 3.3%, p=0,027) in the OPCAB group. Sub-group analysis showed no difference between the two groups with exception of a higher rate of troponin peak >19mg/dl adjusted for CAD extension in the left-main stem disease group undergoing ONCAB (OR=2,3 +-0.8 p=0,018)., Conclusion: The major randomized controlled trials comparing the two strategies show: No difference in 30-days mortality, 1-year survival, AKY and stroke rates; Less re-revascularization rates and higher bypass per patient and bypass patency with ONCAB. Despite the large volume of evidence generated around both on-pump and off-pump CABG strategies, studies fail to demonstrate clear benefit of either strategy regarding mortality and most common complications. Our results are similar of those found in the literature as neither strategy has unequivocal superior results. ONCAB shows consistently higher rates of complete revascularization and higher number of grafts. OPCAB shows lesser troponin levels suggestive of less myocardial damage. Major limitations include: analysis not matched for surgeon performance; cardiac related events, re-revascularization need and graft patency not evaluated; isolated use of troponin levels for evaluation myocardial damage.

Introduction: Bilateral internal thoracic artery (BITA) grafting in patients with diabetes mellitus is controversial due to a higher risk for sternal infection. The purpose of this study is to compare the rates of mediastinitis as well as mortality rates of BITA grafting to that of single internal thoracic artery (SITA) grafting and saphenous vein grafts in patients with diabetes., Methods: Between 2007 and 2015 all consecutive diabetic patients with multivessel disease who underwent primary coronary artery bypass graft surgery with BITA were compared with patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery with SITA and saphenous vein grafts (the control group). Patients submitted to single grafts were excluded from the analysis. Propensity score matching was used to account for differences between groups in preoperative characteristics. The frequency of peri-operative mediastinitis was compared between BITA and control group. Mortality rates between were compared between groups at 1-month post-surgery and 2-year post-surgery., Results: A total of 1005 patients were included in our sample in which 188 (19%) patients performed BITA grafting. BITA patients were younger (BITA group mean age 60.0 years vs control group 69.9 years; p<0.001), less often female (BITA group 11.7% vs control group 28.2%; p<0.001), and less often insulin treated (BITA group 9.6% vs control group 18.8%; p=0.002) compared to the control group. All other characteristics were not statistically different between groups, namely CCS, NYHA score, three vessel coronary artery disease, left main disease, previous myocardial infarction, hypertension, COPD and body mass index. After propensity score matching, 344 patients were included in the analysis, 138 in the BITA group and 206 in the control group. In this analysis both groups were not statistically different in every characteristic evaluated including age, sex and insulin-treated diabetic patients. The rate of peri-operative mediastinitis in matched groups was comparable (BITA group 2.3% vs control group 1.5; p=0.605). Mortality rates were comparable between groups at 1-month post-surgery (BITA group 1.4% vs control group 0.5%; p=0.346) and 2-year post- -surgery (BITA group 3% vs control group 2%; p=0.557)., Conclusion: The findings of this sample suggest that the short and mid-term outcomes of patients with diabetes and multivessel disease who undergo BITA grafting is similar to other grafting procedures. BITA grafting in diabetic patients seems to be safe in terms of sternal wound problems. Longer term follow-up is required to determine BITA grafting survival improvement.

Introduction: Left heart disease is the most common cause of pulmonary hypertension (PH), and when present is associated with higher surgical risk., Objectives: Analyze the effect of PH severity on morbidity, early and late mortality in patients with pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) over 30mmHg that underwent valvular heart surgery., Methods: Retrospective observational study including all patients with PH, defined as PASP>30 mmHg that underwent isolated valvular heart surgery, between 2007 and 2016. Exclusion criteria were: active endocarditis, congenital heart disease, transcatheter aortic valve implantation, reoperations and emergent surgery. The study population included 607 patients with a mean age of 69.6 years and a mean PASP of 52.5 mmHg. Mean follow-up for all-cause mortality was 4.4(0-11) years in 99.7% of patients. MACCE (Major Adverse Cardiac and Cerebrovascular event) was defined as at least one of the following: in-hospital mortality, stroke, post-operative myocardial infarction, severe arrhythmia or multiple organ failure. PASP was evaluated as a continuous variable. Simple and multivariable logistic regression was performed to evaluate the in-hospital mortality and MACCE. Cox regression was used for long term follow-up and one-sample log-rank test for comparison with age adjusted general population., Results: The in-hospital mortality was 3.2% and PASP was an independent predictor on univariable analysis (OR:1.06; 95%CI:1.03- 1.09; p<0.001). On multivariable logistic regression PH remains an independent predictor of in- -hospital mortality (OR:1.08; 95%CI:1.04-1.12; p<0.001) in addition to age (OR:1.08; 95%CI:1.01-1.17; p=0.044). MACCE was observed in 11.4% and PASP was an independent predictor on univariable analysis (OR:1.03; 95%CI:1.01- 1.04; p<0.001). On multivariable logistic regression PASP remains an independent predictor of MACCE (OR:1.02; 95%CI:1.01-1.04; p=0.011) as well as hemodialysis (OR:7.16; 95%CI:1.73-29.63; p=0.007). The independent predictors of long term mortality were male gender (p=0.011), older age (p<0.001), higher body mass index (p=0.013), urgent surgery (p=0.027), pulmonary disease (p=0.042) and more than one valve procedure (p=0.004 for 2 valves and p=0.006 for 3 valves). PASP was not an independent predictor of long term mortality (p=0.142). Compared with an age adjusted general population, patients with PH had a significantly lower survival rate(p<0.001), more evident 4 years after the procedure., Conclusions: Higher PASP is a risk factor for in-hospital mortality and MACCE, but there was no significant impact on long term mortality.

Appointed jointly by the Portuguese Society for Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery (SPCCTV) and by the Portuguese Society of Cardiology (SPC), the Working Group related to the Waiting Times for Cardiac Surgery was created with the aim of developing practical recommendations about clinically acceptable waiting times for the three critical phases of the care of adults with a cardiac disease that require surgery or an intervention: cardiology appointments; diagnostic process and invasive therapy. Cardiac surgery has its own characteristics, not comparable to other surgical specialties and, therefore, it is important to reduce its maximum waiting times and, also, increase the efficacy of the systems which are responsible to monitor and trace the patient. The information given in this document was based, mostly, in available clinical information. The methodology used to establish the criteria was based on studies regarding disease's natural history, clinical studies that compared medical treatment with intervention, retrospective and prospective analysis of patients included on a waiting list, and experts or working groups' opinions. After this first step, marked by this publication, the SPCCTV and the SPC PSC should be considered as natural interlocutors about this matter and they are committed to decisively contribute to the definition of operational strategies through the adaption of the clinical evidence with reality and with the available resources.

Stroke still remains one of the most frequent and dreadful complications of contemporary cardiac surgery, due to the consequences and disabilities that can cause, often definite and irreversible. An intensive investigation has been dedicated to the search of their causes and pathogenic mechanisms, which are multiple and diverse, aimed at identification of risk factors and their adequate prevention. In this paper, the author makes an evaluation and critical review of this matter, giving particular emphasis to the participation and involvement of the carotid artery obstructive disease, its means and methods of diagnosis as well as indications for treatment, either by open conventional or endovascular management, performed previously or concomitantly with cardiac surgery.