Objectives: Mitral valve repair (MVP) is the gold standard treatment for degenerative mitral regurgitation. With the expansion of transcatheter technologies, this study compares the outcome of MVP in low-risk and non-low-risk patients to serve as a benchmark.
Methods: This retrospective, single-institution study examined all patients who underwent MVP for primary mitral regurgitation from 2005 to 2018. Patients were stratified into 2 risk categories: low-risk [Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Predicted Risk of Mortality (STS-PROM) ≤2%] and non-low risk (STS-PROM > 2% or age > 75), with a subgroup of very low risk (STS-PROM ≤1%, age <75).
Results: A total of 1207 patients were included, and 1053 patients were classified as low risk and 154 as non-low risk. The non-low-risk group was significantly older, more likely to be female, and had a higher comorbidity burden than the low-risk group (all P < 0.01). For the low-risk group, the observed-to-expected (O:E) STS mortality ratio was 0.4 and the composite morbidity and mortality ratio was 0.6, whereas for the non-low risk, the O:E mortality was 1.5 and the composite morbidity and mortality was 0.9. When the subgroup of very low-risk group was assessed, the mortality O:E ratio was 0.
Conclusions: The observed composite morbidity and mortality of patients undergoing MVP were persistently lower in low-risk patients, mainly driven by the very low-risk group. The excellent outcome of MVP in low-risk patients should be validated on a national level to determine how transcatheter technologies can be utilized in these patients.
Objectives: History of anatomical lung resection complicates lung transplantation (LTx). Our aim was to identify indications, intraoperative approach and outcome in these challenging cases in a retrospective multicentre cohort analysis.
Methods: Members of the ESTS Lung Transplantation Working Group were invited to submit data on patients undergoing LTx after a previous anatomical native lung resection between January 2005 and July 2020. The primary end point was overall survival (Kaplan-Meier estimation).
Results: Out of 2690 patients at 7 European centres, 26 (1%) patients (14 males; median age 33 years) underwent LTx after a previous anatomical lung resection. The median time from previous lung resection to LTx was 12 years. The most common indications for lung resection were infections (n = 17), emphysema (n = 5), lung tumour (n = 2) and others (n = 2). Bronchiectasis (cystic fibrosis or non-cystic fibrosis related) was the main indication for LTx (n = 21), followed by COPD (n = 5). Two patients with a previous pneumonectomy underwent contralateral single LTx and 1 patient with a previous lobectomy had ipsilateral single LTx. The remaining 23 patients underwent bilateral LTx. Clamshell incision was performed in 12 (46%) patients. Moreover, LTx was possible without extracorporeal life support in 13 (50%) patients. 90-Day mortality was 8% (n = 2) and the median survival was 8.7 years.
Conclusions: The history of anatomical lung resection is rare in LTx candidates. The majority of patients are young and diagnosed with bronchiectasis. Although the numbers were limited, survival after LTx in patients with previous anatomical lung resection, including pneumonectomy, is comparable to reported conventional LTx for bronchiectasis.
As an approach to coronary artery ostial injury in type A aortic dissection and infective endocarditis, we describe a technique of coronary ostial repair using a ring-shaped bovine pericardial patch. The inner and outer rims of the patch were sutured to the involved coronary ostium (to close the ostial tear) and to the aortic wall (to cover the sinus), respectively. Four patients were successfully managed and computed tomographic coronary arteriogram at follow-up showed patent coronary ostia and arteries. The favourable preliminary results imply that this technique is a simple, safe and effective approach to coronary ostial repair in patients with type A aortic dissection or infective endocarditis.
Objectives: Our goal was to investigate the safety, feasibility, success rate, complication rate and side effects of staged single-port thoracoscopic R2 sympathicotomy in the treatment of severe facial blushing. Facial blushing is considered a benign condition; however, severe facial blushing can have a major impact on quality of life. When nonsurgical options such as medication and psychological treatments offer no or insufficient relief, surgical treatment with thoracoscopic sympathicotomy should be considered.
Methods: All patients who underwent a staged thoracoscopic sympathicotomy at level R2 for severe facial blushing between January 2016 and September 2021 were included. Clinical and surgical data were prospectively collected and analysed.
Results: A total of 16 patients with low operative risk (American Society of Anesthesiologists class 1) were treated. No major perioperative complications were encountered. One patient experienced postoperative unilateral Horner's syndrome that resolved completely after 1 week. Two patients experienced compensatory hyperhidrosis. The success rate was 100%. One patient experienced a slight recurrence of blushing symptoms after 3 years that did not interfere with their quality of life. All patients were satisfied with the results and had no regrets of having undergone the procedure.
Conclusions: Staged single-port thoracoscopic R2 sympathicotomy is a reproducible, safe and highly effective surgical treatment option with low compensatory hyperhidrosis rates and the potential to significantly improve quality of life in carefully selected patients suffering from severe facial blushing. We would like to increase awareness among healthcare professionals for debilitating facial blushing and suggest timely referral for surgical treatment.
This study sought to evaluate the impact of virtual reality (VR) tools in procedural planning of transcatheter aortic valve replacement. A prospective study involving 11 patients referred for transcatheter aortic valve replacement was conducted. A multidetector computed tomography was used to acquire and segment the anatomy of the access route and landing zone. From the information obtained with the multidetector computed tomography in DICOM format, we built a virtual platform (VisuaMed, Techer Team, Valencia, Spain) that contains all the clinical information of the patients and a virtualized model of their anatomy. Wearing VR devices, the professional was able to 'walk inside' the anatomy in an interactive and immersive way. Decisions after the evaluation of routine clinical images were compared with those after experience with VR models and intraprocedural findings.
Objectives: The goal of this study was to describe the factors affecting mid and late aortic remodelling following thoracic endovascular aortic repair with the PETTICOAT (Provisional Extension To Induce Complete Attachment) technique among patients with complicated acute or subacute type B aortic dissection.
Methods: A retrospective single-centre study that evaluates clinical and morphological outcomes among 65 consecutive patients. The area and diameter of the true and false lumen, overall aortic diameter and false lumen perfusion were evaluated.
Results: Concomitant direct visceral artery stenting was successfully conducted in 32 (49%) patients. There was one (1.5%) postoperative stroke; three (4.6%) patients developed spinal cord ischaemia; two (3%) patients suffered retrograde type A dissection; and two (3%) patients had mesenteric ischaemia, despite successful reperfusion, that required a bowel resection. Median postoperative follow-up was 63.1 (interquartile range, 32.1- 91.8) months. The probability of survival was 96.9% [95% confidence interval (CI) 88.3%-99.2%] at 30 days, 93.9% (95% CI 84.4%-97.6%) at 1 year, 78.0 (95% CI 64.2%-87.0%) at 5 years and 72.8% (95% CI at 57.9%-83.2%) at 10 years postoperatively. There was a statistically significant postoperative increase in true-lumen area, diameter and true-lumen index in all five aortic levels measured. Complete false lumen (FL) thrombosis at the coeliac trunk, renal arteries and aortic bifurcation levels was observed in 47%, 15% and 24% of patients at midterm (6-15 months) and in 29%, 21% and 29% on late (later than 21 months) computed tomography angiograms (CTA). Persistent false lumen (FL) perfusion at the coeliac level on midterm CTA was associated with a larger extent of late aortic growth (P = 0.042) and was, in the majority of cases, caused by iliac re-entries either alone (28.57) or in combination with visceral and lumbar (28.57%) or distal aortic (10.71%) re-entries. A larger abdominal aortic diameter at midterm was associated with an increased probability of distal aortic reinterventions (hazard ratio 7.26, 95% CI 2.41-21.9, P < 0.001).
Conclusions: Persistent FL perfusion of the distal aorta at midterm following TEVAR with the PETTICOAT technique among patients with acute and subacute type B dissection is caused mainly by iliac, visceral, lumber and distal aorta re-entries. Patients with persistent FL perfusion have an increased risk of aortic aneurysmal growth at late follow-up.
Objectives: Calcified or fibrotic cusps in patients with bicuspid aortic valves and aortic regurgitation complicate successful aortic valve (AV)-repair. Aortic valve neocuspidization (AVNeo) with autologous pericardium offers an alternative treatment to prosthetic valve replacement. We compared patients with regurgitant bicuspid valves undergoing AV-repair or AVNeo.
Methods: We retrospectively analysed patients with regurgitant bicuspid valves undergoing AV-repair or AVNeo. We focused on residual regurgitation, pressure gradients and effective orifice area, determined preoperatively and at discharge.
Results: AV-repair was performed in 61 patients (mean age: 43.2 ± 11.3 years) and AVNeo in 22 (45.7 ± 14.1). Prior to the operation patients of the AV-repair group showed severe regurgitation in 38 cases (62.3%) and moderate in 23 (37.6%); in the AVNeo group, all patients exhibited severe regurgitation. Postoperatively, 57 patients (93.4%) patients had no or mild regurgitation after AV-repair and 21 (95.4%) after AVNeo. In AVNeo-patients, peak (10.6 ± 3.1 mmHg vs 22.7 ± 11 mmHg, P< 0.001) and mean pressure gradients (5.9 ± 2 mmHg vs 13.8 ± 7.3 mmHg, P < 0.001) were significantly lower and the orifice area significantly larger (2.9 ± 0.8 cm2 vs 1.9 ± 0.7 cm2, P < 0.001) compared to repair.
Conclusions: Compared to AV-repair, patients AVNeo showed lower mean pressure gradients and larger orifice areas at discharge. The functional result was not different.
Objectives: Aberrant subclavian artery (ASCA) occurs rarely but is one of the most frequent anatomical variations of the supra-aortic trunks. No consensus has been established on its best treatment. The goal of this study was to report the outcomes of ASCA treated by the hybrid approach.
Methods: This non-interventional retrospective multicentre analysis included patients treated for ASCA by the hybrid approach in 12 French university hospitals between 2007 and 2019. The hybrid approach was defined as an endovascular procedure combined with open surgery or a hybrid stent graft. Patients were divided in 4 groups (from less to more complex treatment). The primary end point was 30-day mortality. The secondary end points were 30-day complications and late mortality.
Results: This study included 43 patients. The mean age was 65 (SD, standard deviation: 16) years. Symptoms were found in 33 patients. Subclavian revascularization combined with aberrant subclavian artery occlusion was undertaken in 13 patients. Unilateral and bilateral subclavian revascularization combined with a thoracic aortic stent graft was undertaken in 11 and 6 patients, respectively. Total aortic arch repair combined with a thoracic aortic stent graft was undertaken in 13 patients. Thirty-day mortality was 2.3% with a technical success rate of 95.3%. The 30-day major postoperative complication rate was 16.3%: 4 strokes, 2 tamponades, 1 acute respiratory distress syndrome. Mean follow-up was 56.3 (SD: 44.7) months. The late mortality was 18.6%.
Conclusions: The ASCA hybrid approach is feasible, safe and effective with low early mortality. Morbidity is rather high. However, it increases with the complexity of the hybrid approach, which should be kept as simple as possible if the anatomical morphology allows.
Mitral valve repair for endocarditis in an acute setting is still challenging due to difficulties in debriding friable tissue and in leaving enough non-infected tissue for reconstruction. Endoscopic approaches for complex mitral valve procedures via a minimally invasive approach have been reported from high-volume programs. However, the role of endoscopic mitral valve surgery for acute infective endocarditis has not been clearly defined. We report our technique of endoscopic mitral valve repair using the cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator system for active endocarditis. The cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator with a low power setting provides enough debridement of the infective tissue and leaves healthy tissue adequate for repair under a totally endoscopic vision.