Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon最新文献

Background:  Pulmonary complications are among the main causes of increased mortality, and morbidity, as well as prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay after cardiac surgery. Recently, a sternum-sparing concept of minimally invasive total coronary revascularization via anterior minithoracotomy (TCRAT) was introduced. A higher risk of pulmonary injury could be anticipated due to the thoracic incision and the longer duration of surgery. Pulmonary complications in TCRAT were compared to standard coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) via full median sternotomy (FS).

Methods:  Records of 151 consecutive TCRAT (from September 2021 to November 2022) and 229 consecutive FS patients (from January 2017 to December 2018) patients, who underwent elective or urgent CABG, were analyzed. Preoperative baseline characteristics (age, sex, body mass index, diabetes, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, smoking status, left ventricular ejection fraction, pulmonary hypertonus, and EuroScore II) were comparable between groups.

Results:  Differences between examined groups examined were found for the pulmonary parameters: Horowitz index 6 hours after operation (TCRAT 270 ± 72 vs. FS 293 ± 73, p < 0.05), pneumothorax (TCRAT 0% vs. FS 2.6%, p < 0.05), bronchoscopies (TCRAT 5.9% vs. FS 1.7%, p < 0.05), and pleural effusion (TCRAT 8.6% vs. FS 3.5%, p < 0.05). Moreover, there were differences between groups with regard to mean ICU stay (TCRAT 2.4 ± 3.0 days vs. FS 1.8 ± 1.8 days, p < 0.05), stroke (TCRAT 0% vs. FS 1.3%, p < 0.05), and hospital stay (TCRAT 10.9 ± 8.5 days vs. FS 13.2 ± 9.3 days, p < 0.05). There were no differences regarding atelectasis, reintubations, tracheostomies, ventilation time, and mortality.

Conclusion:  Pulmonary complications in terms of pleural effusions were more common with TCRAT, however, without substantial impact on clinical outcome.

Background:  Although there are considerable amounts of data on the outcomes of pediatric patients who have undergone Fontan repair, little is known about having Fontan completed in adulthood. The study presented the midterm results of our unit's experience with the Fontan completion procedure in adult patients with functionally univentricular hearts.

Methods:  Between 2014 and 2023, 16 adult patients underwent total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) completion. Relevant information was retrospectively collected.

Results:  Sixteen patients with a median age of 19 years (18-21 years) were included. Median arterial oxygen saturation was 76% (70-80.75%), and 62.5% of the patients were New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III. The median mean pulmonary artery pressure was 14 mm Hg (9.5-14.5 mm Hg). Nine patients (56%) had heterotaxy syndrome, and the median time between the last operation and TCPC was 15.5 years (6.75-17.5 years). The median durations for bypass and cross-clamp were 160 minutes (130-201 minutes) and 120 minutes (84.5-137.5 minutes), consecutively. The postoperative course was straightforward in all. The median arterial oxygen saturation before discharge was 89.5% (85-90%), and 68.75% of the patients were NYHA Class II. Follow-up was complete for all patients with a median of 24 months. There was no early or late mortality or significant morbidity during the study period.

Conclusion:  We concluded that the intra-extracardiac Fontan technique was feasible for meticulously selected adults undergoing TCPC completion, as evidenced by an acceptable mortality rate and a satisfactory midterm outcome, including improvements in their NYHA functional class. However, the long-term consequences must be monitored.

Background:  Coagulatory alterations are common after pediatric cardiac surgery and can be addressed with point-of-care (POC) coagulation analysis. The aim of the present study is to evaluate a preventive POC-controlled coagulation algorithm in pediatric cardiac surgery.

Methods:  This single-center, retrospective data analysis included patients younger than 18 years who underwent cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and received a coagulation therapy according to a predefined POC-controlled coagulation algorithm. Patients were divided into two groups (<10 and >10 kg body weight) because of different CPB priming strategies.

Results:  In total, 173 surgeries with the use of the POC-guided hemostatic therapy were analyzed. In 71% of cases, target parameters were achieved and only in one case primary sternal closure was not possible. Children with a body weight ≤10 kg underwent surgical re-evaluation in 13.2% (15/113), and respectively 6.7% (4/60) in patients >10 kg. Hemorrhage in children ≤10 kg was associated with cyanotic heart defects, deeper intraoperative hypothermia, longer duration of CPB, more complex procedures (RACHS-1 score), and with more intraoperative platelets, and respectively red blood cell concentrate transfusions (all p-values < 0.05). In children ≤10 kg, fibrinogen levels were significantly lower over the 12-hour postoperative period (without revision: 3.1 [2.9-3.3] vs. with revision 2.8 [2.3-3.4]). Hemorrhage in children >10 kg was associated with a longer duration of CPB (p = 0.042), lower preoperative platelets (p = 0.026), and over the 12-hour postoperative period lower platelets (p = 0.002) and fibrinogen (p = 0.05).

Conclusion:  The use of a preventive, algorithm-based coagulation therapy with factor concentrates after CPB followed by POC created intraoperative clinical stable coagulation status with a subsequent executable thorax closure, although the presented algorithm in its current form is not superior in the reduction of the re-exploration rate compared to equivalent collectives. Reduced fibrinogen concentrations 12 hours after surgery may be associated with an increased incidence of surgical revisions.

Background:  Ventricular septal defects (VSDs) remain a rare but life-threatening complication of myocardial infarction. Although the incidence has decreased due to better treatment options, the mortality rate remains high. The timing of VSD repair remains critical to outcome. The use of mechanical circulatory support is rarely described in the literature, although it may help to delay repair to allow tissue stabilization. While Impella is currently considered contraindicated due to the potential worsening of the right-to-left shunt and possible systemic embolization of necrotic debris, there is no comprehensive evidence for this. Therefore, we aimed to analyze whether the use of Impella 5.5 as a first choice for patients undergoing VSD repair should be considered for discussion.

Methods:  This retrospective study analyses four consecutive patients who underwent delayed ventricular septal repair after prior implantation of Impella 5.5 (Abiomed Inc., Danvers, Massachusetts, United States).

Results:  A total of 75% of patients (n = 3) presented with acute right heart failure prior to implantation with a mean systolic pulmonary artery pressure of 64 ± 3.0 mmHg. Implantation was performed under local anesthesia in three cases. The mean time to surgery was 9.8 ± 3.1 days. All patients remained on the Impella 5.5 device postoperatively. Weaning from Impella 5.5 was successful in 75% (n = 3). The mean length of stay in the intensive care unit was 22.3 ± 7.5 days.

Conclusion:  Preoperative implantation of the Impella 5.5 device is a safe and feasible option for patients undergoing VSD repair. Outcomes may be improved by performing Impella implantation under local anesthesia and continuing Impella support after VSD repair. However, it is important to note that these patients represent a high-risk cohort and the mortality rate remains high.

Objectives:  Patients with congenital heart disease frequently require surgical or percutaneous interventional valve replacement after initial congenital heart defect (CHD) repair. In some of these patients, simultaneous replacement of both semilunar valves is necessary, resulting in increased procedural complexity, morbidity, and mortality. In this study, we analyze the outcomes of simultaneous aortic and pulmonary valve replacements following multiple surgical interventions for CHD.

Methods:  This was a retrospective study of 24 patients who after initial repair of CHD underwent single-stage aortic and pulmonary valve replacement at our institution between 2003 and 2021.

Results:  The mean age of the patients was 28 ± 13 years; the mean time since the last surgery was 15 ± 11 years. Decellularized valved homografts (DVHs) were used in nine patients, and mechanical valves were implanted in seven others. In eight patients, DVHs, biological, and mechanical valves were implanted in various combinations. The mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was 303 ± 104 minutes, and aortic cross-clamp time was 152 ± 73 minutes. Two patients died at 12 and 16 days postoperatively. At a maximum follow-up time of 17 years (mean 7 ± 5 years), 95% of the surviving patients were categorized as New York Heart Association heart failure class I.

Conclusion:  Single-stage aortic and pulmonary valve replacement after initial repair of CHD remains challenging with substantial perioperative mortality (8.3%). Nevertheless, long-term survival and clinical status at the latest follow-up were excellent. The valve type had no relevant impact on the postoperative course. The selection of the valves for implantation should take into account operation-specific factors-in particular reoperability-as well as the patients' wishes.

We reviewed the cardiac surgical literature for 2023. PubMed displayed almost 34,000 hits for the search term "cardiac surgery AND 2023." We used a PRISMA approach for a results-oriented summary. Key manuscripts addressed the mid- and long-term effects of invasive treatment options in patient populations with coronary artery disease (CAD), comparing interventional therapy (percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI]) with surgery (coronary artery bypass graft [CABG]). The literature in 2023 again confirmed the excellent long-term outcomes of CABG compared with PCI in patients with left main stenosis, specifically in anatomically complex chronic CAD, but even in elderly patients, generating further support for an infarct-preventative effect as a prognostic mechanism of CABG. For aortic stenosis, a previous trend of an early advantage for transcatheter (transcatheter aortic valve implantation [TAVI]) and a later advantage for surgical (surgical aortic valve replacement) treatment was also re-confirmed by many studies. Only the Evolut Low Risk trial maintained an early advantage of TAVI over 4 years. In the mitral and tricuspid field, the number of interventional publications increased tremendously. A pattern emerges that clinical benefits are associated with repair quality, making residual regurgitation not irrelevant. While surgery is more invasive, it currently generates the highest repair rates and longest durability. For terminal heart failure treatment, donor pool expansion for transplantation and reducing adverse events in assist device therapy were issues in 2023. Finally, the aortic diameter related to adverse events and technical aspects of surgery dominated in aortic surgery. This article summarizes publications perceived as important by us. It cannot be complete nor free of individual interpretation, but provides up-to-date information for patient-specific decision-making.

Objective:  We aimed to analyze somatic growth of patients after total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) as well as to identify factors influencing postoperative catch-up growth.

Methods:  A total of 309 patients undergoing TCPC at 4 years old or less between 1994 and 2021 were included. Weight for age z-score (WAZ) and height for age-z-score (HAZ) at TCPC and at postoperative time between 1 and 3 years were calculated. Factors influencing somatic growth were analyzed.

Results:  Most frequent diagnosis and initial palliation were hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) (34%) and the Norwood procedure (51%), respectively. Median age and weight at TCPC were 2.0 (IQR: 1.7-2.5) years and 11.3 (10.5-12.7) kg, respectively. Median 519 days after TCPC, a significant increase in WAZ (-0.4 to -0.2, p < 0.001) was observed, but not in HAZ (-0.6 to -0.6, p = 0.38). Older age at TCPC (p < 0.001, odds ratio [OR]: 2.6) and HLHS (p = 0.007, OR: 2.2) were risks for low WAZ after TCPC. Older age at TCPC (p = 0.009, OR: 1.9) and previous Norwood procedure (p = 0.021, OR: 2.0) were risks for low HAZ after TCPC. Previous bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt (BCPS) was a protective factor for both WAZ (p = 0.012, OR: 0.06) and HAZ (p = 0.028, OR: 0.30) at TCPC.

Conclusion:  In patients undergoing TCPC at the age of 4 years or less, a significant catch-up growth was observed in WAZ after TCPC, but not in HAZ. Previous BCPS resulted to be a protective factor for a better somatic development at TCPC. HLHSs undergoing Norwood were considered as risks for somatic development after TCPC.

Background:  Lung cancer resections are increasingly being performed via video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Conversion to thoracotomy can occur for many reasons and may affect outcomes. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of VATS conversion on short- and mid-term outcomes and identify reasons for conversion.

Methods:  Consecutive patients undergoing lobectomy for primary non-small cell lung cancer between 2012 and 2019 in a single UK center were included. Primary outcomes were 90-day mortality, intraoperative conversion, and overall survival. Reasons for conversion were defined as bleeding or nonbleeding. Outcomes were compared between groups using univariable analysis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for conversion.

Results:  A total of 2,622 patients were included with 20.6% (n = 541) completing surgery via VATS and 79.4% (n = 2,081) via thoracotomy. The rate of completed VATS surgery increased significantly over time (2012: 6.9%, 2019: 55.1%, p < 0.001). Overall conversion rate was 14.3% (n = 90/631) and has reduced significantly over time (p < 0.001). The rate of conversion due to intraoperative bleeding was 31.1% (n = 28/90). Obesity, male sex, and stage III disease were independent risk factors for conversion. The 90-day mortality rate after conversion was not significantly different from the rate for planned thoracotomy (3.3 vs. 3.4%, p = 0.987). There was no significant difference in overall survival between patients experiencing intraoperative conversion and those undergoing planned thoracotomy (p = 0.135).

Conclusion:  This study demonstrates comparable outcomes for patients undergoing conversion from VATS to those undergoing planned surgery via thoracotomy. It remains unclear if reason for conversion is associated with outcomes.

Background:  Body mass index (BMI) has been shown to be an independent predictor of survival following lung resection surgery. This study aimed to quantify the short- to midterm impact of abnormal BMI on postoperative outcomes.

Methods:  Lung resections at a single institution were examined between 2012 and 2021. Patients were divided into low BMI (<18.5), normal/high BMI (18.5-29.9), and obese BMI (>30). Postoperative complications, length of stay, and 30- and 90-day mortality were examined.

Results:  A total of 2,424 patients were identified. Of these patients, 2.6% (n = 62) had a low BMI, 67.4% (n = 1,634) had a normal/high BMI, and 30.0% (n = 728) had an obese BMI. Overall postoperative complications were higher in the low BMI group (43.5%) when compared with normal/high (30.9%) and obese BMI group (24.3%) (p = 0.0002). Median length of stay was significantly higher in the low BMI group (8.3 days) compared with 5.2 days in the normal/high and obese BMI groups (p < 0.0001). Ninety-day mortality was higher in the low (16.1%) compared with the normal/high (4.5%) and obese BMI groups (3.7%) (p = 0.0006). Subgroup analysis of the obese cohort did not elucidate any statistically significant differences in overall complications in the morbidly obese. Multivariate analysis determined that BMI is an independent predictor of reduced postoperative complications (odds ratio [OR], 0.96; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.94-0.97; p < 0.0001) and 90-day mortality (OR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.92-0.99; p = 0.02).

Conclusion:  Low BMI is associated with significantly worse postoperative outcomes and an approximate fourfold increase in mortality. In our cohort, obesity is associated with reduced morbidity and mortality following lung resection surgery, confirming the existence of the obesity paradox.