Search

Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) are usually a silent disease that can prove fatal if complications (i.e., rupture or dissection) arise. Aortic diameter has been described as a major risk factor for TAA adverse outcomes or surgical intervention. Other comorbidities and importantly socioeconomic factors are less well-analyzed variables in large population studies. Using the New York State (NYS) Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative Systems (SPARCS) database, the purpose of this retrospective cohort study is to identify the risk factors associated with adverse outcomes in a patient population with newly diagnosed non-ruptured TAA between the time range of 2005-2018. &nbsp

Aim: Impacts of pre-operative atrial fibrillation or flutter (AF/AFL) upon repeat aortic valve replacement (r-AVR) patients’ risk-adjusted short-term outcomes is unknown. Methods: From 2005-2018, New York State AF/AFL versus non-AF/AFL adults’ risk-adjusted r-AVR outcomes were compared. Primary endpoints included the Society of Thoracic Surgeons’ 30-day operative mortality or major morbidity (MM) composite and 30-day readmission (READMIT); the MM sub-components were secondary endpoints. Multivariable logistic regression models evaluated AF/AFL impact upon these endpoints while holding other factors constant. Results: Of 36,783 adults initially undergoing aortic valve replacement, 334 subsequently underwent r-AVR. Within this r-AVR group, 42.4% of repeat surgical (r-SAVR) patients had AF/AFL; 50.4% of repeat transcatheter (viv-TAVR) patients had AF/AFL. R-SAVR AF/AFL patients were older and had more comorbidities than those without AF/AFL. Viv-TAVR AF/AFL patients were similar to those without AF/AFL except for lower rates of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Comparing risk-adjusted r-AVR outcomes, AF/AFL did not impact MM [odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.23, 0.66-2.28, P = 0.512] or READMIT (OR, 95% CI: 1.15, 0.60-2.19, P = 0.681). Black race (OR, 95% CI: 2.89, 1.01-8.32, P = 0.049) and Elixhauser mortality score (OR, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.04-1.10, P < 0.0001) predicted MM risk. Cerebrovascular disease (OR, 95% CI: 2.54, 1.23-5.25, P = 0.012) predicted READMIT risk, while viv-TAVR was protective compared to r-SAVR (OR, 95% CI: 0.44, 0.21-0.91, P = 0.027). Conclusion: AF/AFL was not associated with risk-adjusted short-term r-AVR outcomes. Black race, Elixhauser mortality score, and cerebrovascular disease predicted adverse outcomes.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is among the most frequent cardiac surgical arrhythmias documented. The global AF prevalence is estimated at over 33 million cases, with estimates ranging up to 6.1 million cases in the United States. Among cardiac surgical patients, the risk factors for new-onset post-operative AF (POAF) include Caucasian race with increased prevalence documented in older men. Due to trends of earlier thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) detection and treatment, it is timely to review the AF association with adverse TAA clinical outcomes. Towards this goal, a comprehensive PubMed literature review was performed. For this initial Medline literature search, the MeSH search strategy included “thoracic aortic aneurysm” and “atrial fibrillation”. Based on the pertinent articles identified, the limited literature available for preoperative TAA AF and the predictors of POAF following TAA procedures were reviewed. Given only a handful of publications addressing these pre-/post-operative AF topics were identified using this very broad initial search approach, a knowledge chasm exists–as very little is known about TAA patients with pre-operative or new-onset post-operative AF. Given the paucity of evidence-based information available, clinically relevant TAA-specific research questions have been raised to guide future TAA AF-related investigations.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common preoperative comorbidity and post-operative complication associated with cardiac surgery and is recognized as a significant predictor of adverse clinical outcomes. This review aims to highlight the current literature regarding the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) or transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures. A literature search of relevant articles was conducted via PubMed, Medline, and EMBASE. Pre-existing AF is seen in 6.3%-35.2% of SAVR patients and 15.7%-48.9% of TAVR patients and is associated with increased risk of mortality (OR = 2.2) and stroke (OR = 5.9). Postoperative AF (POAF) is more common after SAVR and in patients with hemodynamic instability. The rates for POAF range from 11.1%-84% following SAVR and range from 3.0%-55.6% following TAVR. In-hospital mortality (7.8% vs. 3.4%; P < 0.01) and stroke (4.7% vs. 2.0%; P < 0.01) are higher in the POAF group. POAF can be prevented via prophylactic antiarrhythmic medications and atrial pacing. Therapeutic anticoagulation is recommended as it reduces the risk of thrombotic complications following SAVR and TAVR procedures in the setting of POAF. Compared to those not on anticoagulant therapies, patients on anticoagulation have decreased rates of stroke (1.7% vs. 5.5%) and fewer 30-day thrombotic complications (3% vs. 40%). These preventive measures are essential as POAF is associated with more thromboembolic events, longer hospital stays, and higher overall morbidity and mortality rates.