Individuals with single-ventricle congenital heart disease who are palliated to a Fontan circulation are at risk for heart failure and liver disease, with recurrent ascites being one potentially debilitating cause of late morbidity. Although ascites associated with heart failure or liver failure is usually characterized by a high serum-ascites albumin gradient (SAAG), we have observed multiple instances of ascites in Fontan patients with low SAAG, suggesting an inflammatory process. We present three cases in which recalcitrant ascites severely and adversely impacted quality of life, and describe our initial experience with intraperitoneal corticosteroids in this setting.

Background: Differences in cardiac remodeling after mitral valve (MV) surgery between the sexes is poorly understood. Inferior outcomes for females undergoing MV surgery compared to males have been suggested in the literature, although causative factors behind this discrepancy have not been identified. Materials and Methods: In this propensity-matched, retrospective, single-center study, we sought to identify the impact that sex may have on cardiac remodeling and long-term outcomes to better inform clinical decision making in MV surgical intervention. Outcomes were compared between males and females undergoing MV replacement (MVR) between 2004 and 2018. The primary outcome was cardiac remodeling 1 year postoperatively. Secondary outcomes included mortality, stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), reoperation of the MV, and rehospitalization. Results: 314 males and 314 females were included after propensity matching. Males demonstrated a significant degree of improved left ventricular remodeling while females did not, and females showed a significant degree of left atrial remodeling while males did not. Mortality rates were relatively equivalent between the two groups, although males were more likely to develop sepsis and require rehospitalization due to MI. Conclusions: There has been little research exploring the differences in cardiac remodeling between the sexes after MVR. The results of this study have suggested that MVR is equally safe for both sexes and has demonstrated a difference in the heart’s ability to remodel after MVR. The significance of this difference has the potential to result in largely different clinical outcomes for males and females. Further study is necessary to fully elucidate this relationship.

Key Points : • Interventional therapies directed at fenestration closure in the Fontan patient must rely on good hemodynamic data • The Large Optimus-CVSTM stent is an additional armamentarium for fenestration closure however, longer term follow up is needed • Multi institutional studies defining the long-term benefits of fenestration closure and outlining fenestration management guidelines may help improve the long-term morbidity and mortality in this group of patients.

A document by Akhil Raj Anumolu. Click on the document to view its contents.

A Preliminary Argument for the Selective Use of the Robicsek WeaveJohn S. Ikonomidis MD, PhDDivision of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of North Carolina at Chapel HillWord Count: 886References: 4Address correspondence to:John S. Ikonomidis MD, PhDProfessor and Chief,Division of Cardiothoracic SurgeryUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill3034 Burnett Womack Building160 Dental Circle,Chapel Hill, NC27599e-mail: john_ikonomidis@med.unc.eduTel: (919) 966-3381Proper execution of median sternotomy and its subsequent closure are critical to the success of cardiac surgical outcomes. It is essential that the sternum be divided directly in the midline, and table fractures must be avoided if at all possible by avoiding excessive spreading if the sternum for exposure of the heart. Multiple methods have been described regarding primary sternal closure technique, but the conventional technique of wire circlage, either linear or figure-of-eight, has endured and is also the most cost-effective. Sternal wound complications have an incidence of 0.8% to 1.5% patients, and this number rises to as high as 8% when bilateral internal mammary artery harvest is undertaken. Further established risk factors for deep sternal wound complications include breaches in sterility in the operating room, lengthy operations, re-exploration for bleeding, undrained retrosternal hematoma, incomplete wound closure, obesity, advanced age, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hospital acquired pneumonias, renal failure, requirement for dialysis, and prolonged mechanical ventilation. Mortality from sternal dehiscence and related complications ranges from 6% to 70%. It is generally felt that early treatment reduces mortality.1Deep sternal wound complications and dehiscence were once thought to be highly feared and challenging complications of cardiac surgery. Modern primary closure techniques, tissue flap coverage options, and negative pressure wound therapy have made these complications more manageable. Nevertheless, it behooves surgeons to avoid this complication due to its considerable negative clinical impact.There are many methods currently available for reconstruction of the sternum after its dehiscence, the most common of which is the sternal weave first described by Robicsek and colleagues in 1977.2 This technique is often used to reinforce the sternum with primary sternal closure in instances where the sternotomy was off the midline leaving a thin weak section of sternum on one side or where some fracturing has occurred, but has also been used as a first line for sternal reconstruction after its dehiscence from primary closure. Data are not available regarding the overall success rate of reinforcement using the Robicsek weave, but at least one multicenter, randomized controlled trial showed that in patients with an increased risk for sternal instability and wound infection after cardiac surgery, sternal reinforcement using the Robicsek technique prior to primary sternal closure did not reduce dehiscence rate.3In addition to the above, antecedent sternal weaving weave may complicate further attempts at sternal closure should dehiscence recur. In this issue of the Journal of Cardiac Surgery,4Seyrek et al. conducted a retrospective review of patients at a single institution with noninfectious sternal dehiscence (NISD) after median sternotomy who received thermoreactive nitinol clips (TRNC) for sternal closure. The authors studied 34 cases who received TRNC treatment between December 2009 and January 2020 out of 283 patients with NISD who underwent sternal refixation. These cases were divided into two groups: patients who had a previously failed Robicsek procedure before TRNC treatment (group A, n=11) and patients who had been directly referred to TRCN treatment (group B, n= 23). The results showed that the postoperative complication rate and length of hospital stay was significantly higher with use of the Robicsek weave. Further, operative time was significantly shorter and blood loss was significantly lower in patients referred for sternal refixation without having first undergone a Robicsek weave.Part of the reason for the above results may lie with the surgical requirements for performance of the Robicsek weave. Substernal and lateral dissection is required to define the margins of the sternum before placing the weave. This increases the technical difficulty of the reclosure operation and puts the patient at risk for inadvertent injury to the heart, great vessels, and other mediastinal structures. This dissection may also compromise blood flow to the sternal half. Further, intercostal arteries may be squeezed by weave as it runs anteriorly and posteriorly around the ribs, which may occlude blood supply to the sternum. This could worsen pre-existing ischemia, which would delay sternal healing, promote bacterial colonization, and cause bone necrosis and additional sternal fragmentation, thus complicating any additional closure attempts.Use of TRNC may represent an advance in sternal reconstruction therapy due to the simplicity of use and lack of requirement for a complex mediastinal dissection prior to application. The authors contend that a previously failed Robicsek procedure caused significantly higher morbidity, additional operative risk and lower success rate in later TRNC treatment of high-risk cases and hence speculate that patients at high risk for sternal separation should proceed directly to TRNC treatment. In the light of the above study, this approach seems reasonable, but a prospective trial should be considered to provide the definitive answer.

A quarter of coronary arteriovenous fistulas may present aneurysmal dilatation; however, spontaneous rupture of the aneurysm is rare. We present a rare case of ruptured coronary artery aneurysm (CAA) associated with coronary fistulas that presented cardiac tamponade. Subsequent to pericardial drainage, surgical repair of the CAA associated with coronary fistulas was performed electively. The aneurysm was located on the left anterior aspect of the pulmonary artery trunk. It communicated with both the left and right coronary arteries by anomalous fistulous vessels that drained into the pulmonary artery trunk. The feeding arteries and fistulous opening were ligated and closed, respectively, from within the aneurysm. Intraoperative fluorescence imaging was performed pre- and postoperatively to ensure no residual coronary fistulas were present. Although the rupture of CAA associated with coronary fistulas is rare, it should be considered as one of the potential causes of acute cardiac tamponade.

Background Stroke remains a devastating complication of cardiac surgery. The aim of this study was to characterise the incidence of stroke and analyse the impact of stroke on patient outcomes and survival. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed of patients with a CT-confirmed stroke diagnosis between 01/01/2015 and 31/03/2019 at a single centre. 2:1 propensity matching was performed to identify a control population. Results Over the period 165 patients suffered a stroke (1.99%), with an incidence ranging 0.85% for CABG to 8.14% for aortic surgery. The mean age was 70.3 years and 58.8% were male. 18% had experienced a previous stroke or TIA. Compared to the comparison group, patients experiencing post-operative stroke had a significantly prolonged period of ICU admission (8.0 vs 1.1 days p<0.001) and hospital length of stay (12.94 vs 8.0 days p<0.001). Patient survival was also inferior. In-hospital mortality was almost 3 times as high (17.0% vs 5.9%; p<0.001). Longer-term survival was also inferior on Kaplan-Meier estimation (p<0.001). The 1-year and 3-year survival were 61.5% and 53.8% respectively compared to 89.4% and 86.1% for the comparison group. Conclusion Perioperative stroke is a devastating complication following cardiac surgery. Perioperative stroke is associated with significantly inferior outcomes in terms of both morbidity and mortality. Notably a 28% reduction in 1-year survival. The potential to reduce morbidity and mortality with the emergence of mechanical thrombectomy, demonstrates the need for clear links between cardiothoracic and stroke teams to support individuals affected by perioperative stroke.

In the study “Long-term outcomes following surgical repair of coronary artery fistula in adults”, Wada and associates, retrospectively evaluated 13 consecutive patients that underwent surgical repair of CAF No deaths, significant ST-T changes or CAF-related events were reported in a follow-up period of 66.2 months, and 1 patient showed poor contrast RCA#2 on postoperative coronary CT with a myocardial scintigraphy showing no significant change compared to the preoperative state Coronary artery fistulas (CAF) are rare congenital or acquired malformations in the connection of the coronary vessels, first described by Krause in 1865 (2). They can be classified as coronary-cameral fistulas, which connect coronary arteries with any of the heart chambers, or coronary artery malformations, which connect coronary arteries with systemic or pulmonary vessels. Congenital CAFs are normally a result of abnormal embryological development, acquired CAFs are commonly a result of cardiac traumatic injuries, and iatrogenic CAFs are usually a result of interventional cardiac procedures. This condition is still highly undiagnosed, as around 75% of incidentally-found CAFs are small and clinically silent, but it is estimated that CAFs are present in about 0.9% of the general population In our experience, we have a CAF incidence of 0.05% in 10,000 cardiac surgeries, which have demonstrated beneficial outcomes of the surgical repair of CAFs in adults . Authors of this article must be congratulated for the successful development of the study and for the contributions to the literature on this rare condition

Postoperative thoracic aortic graft infection (TAGI) is a serious and potentially fatal complication. The classical approach is to replace the infected graft. However, this approach has a high mortality rate. Alternatively, treatment of TAGI without graft replacement can be performed. Herein, we present successful treatment of the case of a 72-year-old patient with mediastinitis and graft infection after type A aortic dissection operation for whom we performed omental flap coverage following vacuum-assisted wound closure therapy without graft replacement. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course and remained infection free for the last 36 months to date.

Background and Aim of the Study: Congenital heart disease is the most common congenital defect among infants born in the United States. Within the first year of life, 1 in 4 of these infants will need surgery. Only one generation removed from an overall mortality of 14%, many changes have been introduced into the field. Have these changes measurably improved outcomes? Methods: The literature search was conducted through PubMed MEDLINE and Google Scholar from inception to October 31, 2021. Ultimately, 78 publications were chosen for inclusion. Results: The outcome of overall mortality has experienced continuous improvements in the modern era of the specialty despite the performance of more technically demanding surgeries on patients with complex comorbidities. This modality does not account for case-mix, however. In turn, clinical outcomes have not been consistent from center to center. Furthermore, variation in practice between institutions has also been documented. A recurring theme in the literature is a movement towards standardization and universalization. Examples include mortality risk-stratification that has allowed direct comparison of outcomes between programs and improved definitions of morbidities which provide an enhanced framework for diagnosis and management. Conclusions: Overall mortality is now below 3%, which suggests that more patients are surviving their interventions than in any previous era in congenital cardiac surgery. Focus has transitioned from survival to improving the quality of life in the survivors by decreasing the incidence of morbidity and associated long-term effects. With the transformation towards standardization and interinstitutional collaboration, future advancements are expected.

Background: Thoracic aortic aneurysm is a significant risk factor for aortic dissection and rupture. Guidelines recommend referral of patients to a cardiovascular specialist for periodic surveillance imaging with surgical intervention determined primarily by aneurysm size. We investigated the association between socioeconomic status and surveillance practices in patients with ascending aortic aneurysms. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed records of 465 consecutive patients diagnosed between 2013-2016 with ascending aortic aneurysm ≥4cm on computed tomography scans. Primary outcomes were clinical follow-up with a cardiovascular specialist and aortic surveillance imaging within 2 years following index scan. We stratified patients into quartiles using the area deprivation index (ADI), a validated percentile measure of 17 variables characterizing socioeconomic status at the census block group level. Competing risks analysis was used to determine interquartile differences in risk of death prior to follow up with a cardiovascular specialist. Results: Lower socioeconomic status was associated with significantly lower rates of surveillance imaging and referral to a cardiovascular specialist. On competing risks regression, the ADI quartile with lowest socioeconomic status had lower hazard of follow-up with a cardiologist or cardiac surgeon prior to death (HR 0.46 [0.34, 0.62], p<0.001). Though there were no differences in aneurysm size at time of surgical repair, patients in the lowest socioeconomic quartile were more frequently symptomatic at surgery than other quartiles (92% vs 23-38%, p<0.001). Conclusion: Patients with lower socioeconomic status receive less timely follow-up imaging and specialist referral for thoracic aortic aneurysms, resulting in surgical intervention only when alarming symptoms are already present.

Purpose: Diffuse mega-aorta is challenging. Prior studies have raised concerns regarding the safety of the open two-stage elephant trunk (ET) approach for extensive thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA), specifically in regard to inter-stage mortality. This study evaluates the safety of the two-stage ET approach for management of extensive TAA. Methods: Between 2003–2018, 152 patients underwent a Stage I ET procedure by a single surgeon (mean age 64.5±14.8). Second stage ET procedure was planned in 60 patients (39.4%) and to-date has been performed in 54 patients (90%). (In the remaining patients, the elephant trunk was prophylactic for the long-term, with no plan for near-term utilization). Results: In-hospital mortality after the Stage I procedure was 3.3% (5/152). In patients planned for Stage II, the median inter-stage interval was 5 weeks (range: 0-14). Of the remaining six patients with planned, but uncompleted Stage II procedures, five patients expired from various causes in the interval period (inter-stage mortality of 8.3%). There were no cases of aortic rupture in the inter-stage interval. Stage II was completed in 58 patients (including 4 unplanned) with 30-day morality of 10.3% (6/58). Seven patients developed strokes after Stage II (12%), and three patients (5.1%) developed paraplegia. Conclusions: The overall mortality, including Stage I, inter-stage interval, and Stage II was 18.6%. This cumulative mortality for the open two-staged ET approach for treatment of extensive TAA is acceptable for aortic disease of this severity. Fear of inter-stage rupture should not preclude the aggressive Two-Stage approach to management of extensive TAA.

Objective This study has been compared the effectiveness of different surgical methods in the treatment of mitral regurgitation (MR) in adults by using network meta-analysis method, so as to provide reference for clinical selection of the best surgical scheme. Methods The PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, CNKI and Chongqing VIP Information databases were comprehensively searched until December 2020. We collected retrospective comparative studies on surgical procedures including 3D endoscopic mitral valve surgery(3D-MVS), robot assisted mitral valve surgery(R-MVS); totally thoracoscopic mitral valve surgery(T-MVS), small incision mitral valve surgery (M-MVS) and traditional thoracotomy mitral valve surgery(C-MVS). Addis1.16.8 software was used for network meta-analysis. Results A total of 31 studies were included, 12998 patients, involving 5 surgical methods. Network Meta analysis showed that: in terms of complications (OR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.13 to 3.00, probability rank = 0.37) and mitral regurgitation (OR:0.03, 95%CI: 0.0 to 8315, probability rank=0.64), the 3D-MVS group had the lowest event rate. In terms of blood transfusion rate (OR: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.16 to 1.84, probability rank=0.45), T-MVS had the lowest event rate. In addition, with the exception of operation time and chest drainage, the R-MVS group has the best curative effect. Conclusion These minimally invasive surgery has their own advantages and disadvantages. Overall, 3D-MVS is most satisfactory, but more samples are needed.

Objectives: We sought to assess the safety of training in cardiothoracic surgery comparing outcomes of cases performed by trainees versus fully trained surgeons. Methods: EmBase, Scopus, PubMed, and OVID MEDLINE were searched in August 2021 independently by two authors. A third author arbitrated decisions to resolve disagreements. Inclusion criteria were articles on cardiothoracic surgery reporting on outcomes for trainees. Studies were assessed for appropriateness as per CBEM criteria. 892 results were obtained, 27 represented best evidence (2-Meta-analyses, 1-RCT and 24 retrospective cohort studies). Results: 474,160 operative outcomes were assessed for 434,535 CABG (431,329 on-pump vs 3206 off-pump), 3090 AVR, 1740 MVR/repair, 26,433 mixed, 3565 congenital and 4797 thoracic procedures. 398,058 cases were performed by trainees and 75,943 by consultants. 159 cases were indeterminate. There were no statistically significant differences in the patients’ pre-operative risk scores. All studies excluded extreme high-risk patients in emergency setting, patients with poor left ventricular function and re-operation cases that were undertaken by consultants. There were no differences in CPB and clamp times for CABG. Times for valve replacement and repair cases were longer for trainees. There were no differences in the post-operative outcomes including peri-operative myocardial infarction, resternotomy for bleeding, stroke, renal failure, ITU length of stay and total length of stay. One study reported no differences on angiographic graft patency at 1 year. There were no differences in in-hospital or mid-term mortality out to five-years. Discussion: Trainees can perform cardiothoracic surgery in dedicated high-volume units with outcomes comparable to those of fully trained surgeons.

Background and aim: The incidence of symptomatic cerebral infarction after minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) with retrograde perfusion has been increasing. However, there is no report about silent brain infarction (SBI) after MICS with retrograde perfusion. Because SBI may cause delirium and decline of cognitive function, this condition is important clinically. Thus, the current study aimed to investigate the occurrence of SBI after MICS via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods: Between July 2014 and July 2018, 174 patients underwent MICS with retrograde perfusion and postoperative MRI in this study. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to examine the occurrence of SBI and to identify its risk factors. Results: Of 174 patients, 26 (14.9%) presented with SBI. The univariate analysis revealed that age and aortic valve stenosis (AS) are the risk factors of SBI. Meanwhile, multivariate analysis revealed AS as the only risk factor of SBI. Conclusions: At our institution, the incidence of SBI after MICS with retrograde perfusion was acceptable.

The present perspective is a synthesis of 80 published investigations in the setting of a retroaortic left brachiocephalic vein, described in 250 patients. Clinical presentation, radiographic findings, ultrasonographic findings, saline contrast echocardiography, computed-tomographic angiocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging, and angiocardiography provided the diagnostic information used to define the disease entity prior to considering the surgical approach to the associated cardiac anomalies. We have also addressed several issues concerning the influence of isomerism, the establishment of diagnosis, and its importance in various surgical and interventional procedures. Although the retroaortic left brachiocephalic vein is asymptomatic, its recognition during clinical investigation should raise the possibility of an association with other malformations, especially right aortic arch, ventricular septal defect, and anomalies of the outflow tracts. We submit that an increased appreciation of this venous anomaly may facilitate surgical planning, endovascular procedures, placement of central venous lines, and transvenous pacemakers.

Congestive heart failure is highly prevalent in the elderly population and left ventricular assist device has been increasingly used in this population. LVAD therapy is more costly than medical treatment but it increases the survival and quality of life of the elderly patients with low disease acuity. Therefore careful selection of candidates and implementation of LVAD therapy earlier in the course of the disease is crucial to improve outcomes. With the technical advances and improvement in clinical management, the financial burden of LVAD therapy in the elderly will become less, making this therapy more economically feasible.

Background: This study aims at better defining the profile of patients with a complicated versus non-complicated postoperative course following isolated tricuspid valve (TV) surgery to identify predictors of a favourable/unfavourable hospital outcome. Methods: All patients treated with isolated tricuspid surgery from March 1997-January 2020 at our institution were retrospectively reviewed. Considering the complexity of most of these patients, a regular postoperative course was arbitrarily defined as a length-of-stay in intensive care unit <4 days and/or postoperative length-of-stay <10days. Patients were therefore divided accordingly in two groups. Results: 172 patients were considered, among whom 97 (56.3%) had a regular (REG) and 75 (43.6%) a non-regular (NEG) postoperative course. The latter had worse baseline clinical and echocardiographic characteristics, with higher rate of renal insufficiency, previous heart failure hospitalizations, cardiac operations, and right ventricular dysfunction. NEG patients more frequently needed tricuspid replacement and experienced a greater number of complications (p<0.001) and higher in-hospital mortality (13% vs 0%, p<0.001). The majority of these complications were related to more advanced stage of the tricuspid disease. Among most important predictors of a negative outcome univariate analysis identified chronic kidney disease, ascites, previous right heart failure hospitalizations, right ventricular dysfunction, previous cardiac surgeries, TV replacement and higher MELD scores. At multivariate analysis, liver enzymes and diuretics’ dose were predictors of complicated postoperative course. Conclusions: In isolated TV surgery a complicated postoperative course is observed in patients with more advanced right heart failure and organ damage. Earlier surgical referral is associated to excellent outcomes and should be recommended.