Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon最新文献

Background: Infective endocarditis (IE) is associated with extremely high surgical mortality. During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, hospitals restructured their intensive care units and outpatient services to prioritize COVID-19 care, which may have affected the outcomes of patients requiring urgent procedures. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the pandemic on surgical outcomes of IE patients in Southern Germany.

Methods: This observational, community-based study compared two cohorts of surgical candidates: a pandemic cohort from March 2020 to November 2021 (n=84) and a pre-pandemic cohort from August 2018 to March 2020 (before the lockdown, n=94). Preoperative status and postoperative in-hospital complications were analyzed and compared between groups.

Results: The pandemic cohort experienced longer symptom onset to diagnosis intervals (14.5 vs. 8 days, p = 0.529). A higher incidence of definite IE was observed after the lockdown according to the modified Duke criteria (82.1% vs. 68.1%, p = 0.035). Patients presented with more severe symptoms post-lockdown (NYHA Class III: 50% vs. 33%; Class IV: 22.6% vs. 11.7%, p = 0.001). Postoperative complications, such as re-thoracotomy due to bleeding and hemofiltration for acute renal failure, were significantly more frequent after the lockdown (p < 0.05). However, in-hospital survival rates did not differ significantly between the groups.

Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic and related lockdown measures were associated with delayed diagnoses and worse perioperative outcomes for surgical IE patients, highlighting the need for improved management strategies during public health crises.

Background:  Lung cancer is the most prevalent and lethal cancer globally, necessitating accurate differentiation between benign and malignant pulmonary nodules to guide treatment decisions. This study aims to develop a predictive model that integrates artificial intelligence (AI) analysis with biomarkers to enhance early detection and stratification of lung nodule malignancy.

Methods:  The study retrospectively analyzed the patients with pathologically confirmed pulmonary nodules. AI technology was employed to assess CT features, such as nodule size, solidity, and malignancy probability. Additionally, lung cancer blood biomarkers were measured. Statistical analysis involved univariate analysis to identify significant differences among factors, followed by multivariate logistic regression to establish independent risk factors. The model performance was validated using receiver operating characteristic curves and decision curve analysis (DCA) for internal validation. Furthermore, an external dataset comprising 51 cases of lung nodules was utilized for independent validation to assess robustness and generalizability.

Results:  A total of 176 patients were included, divided into benign/preinvasive (n = 76) and invasive cancer groups (n = 100). Multivariate analysis identified eight independent predictors of malignancy: lobulation sign, bronchial inflation sign, AI-predicted malignancy probability, nodule nature, diameter, solidity proportion, vascular endothelial growth factor, and lung cancer autoantibodies. The combined predictive model demonstrated high accuracy (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.946). DCA showed that the combined model significantly outperformed the traditional model, and also proved superior to models using AI-predicted malignancy probability or the seven lung cancer autoantibodies plus traditional model. External validation confirmed its robustness (AUC = 0.856), achieving a sensitivity of 0.80 and specificity of 0.86, effectively distinguishing between invasive and noninvasive nodules.

Conclusion:  This combined approach of AI-based CT features analysis with lung cancer biomarkers provides a more accurate and clinically useful tool for guiding treatment decisions in pulmonary nodule patients. Further studies with larger cohorts are warranted to validate these findings across diverse patient populations.

Introduction:  Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is a standard postoperative marker for hemolysis in the presence of paravalvular leakage (PVL) after replacement of the aortic valve (AVR). LDH is elevated in certain valves by a fluttering phenomenon. Previous studies suggested a correlation between microparticles (MPs) and LDH elevation after AVR. Thus, we analyze the postoperative relevance of LDH after AVR with transapical transcatheter aortic valves (TA-TAVs) or rapid deployment valves (RDVs).

Methods:  We retrospectively analyzed the data from patients who received an AVR with the RDV and TA-TAV groups between 2015 and 2018. We compared PVL and LDH levels before and after surgery, transvalvular gradients, heart block that required pacemaker implantation, and 30-day mortality.

Results:  In total, 138 consecutive patients were selected for the study: 79 patients in the RDV group (37 Sorin Perceval valve, 42 Edwards Intuity valve) and 59 in the TA-TAV group (Edwards Sapien valve). TA-TAV group was older (median 10 years) and had a higher incidence of PVL (odds ratio 11, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.5-73.2, p = 0.04)). Interestingly, the TA-TAV group showed lower levels of LDH despite higher rates of PVL. Of note, the Perceval valve trended toward higher LDH values. Additionally, the RDV group showed an increased arrhythmia profile (p = 0.0041); however, the results show lower incidence in pacemaker implantation (95% CI 0.05-1.65, p = 0.635). The 30-day mortality was similar between groups.

Conclusion:  Our data do not support the association between hemolysis and PVL despite elevated LDH in suture-free valves. Our results suggest that LDH could be a marker of extreme heart muscle output or fluttering phenomenon and not a marker of hemolysis after sutureless AVR.

Objective:  The goal of this study is to examine early and midterm results after surgical treatment of acute DeBakey type I aortic dissection (AIAD) and the effect of the range of aortic arch replacement on overall survival and prevention of distal aortic events.

Methods:  Between March 2002 and July 2020, a total of 374 AIAD aortic repairs were reviewed. A total of 154 (41.2%) patients had total arch replacement (TAR), whereas 220 (58.8%) had hemi- or partial arch replacement (PAR).

Results:  Operative mortality did not show a significant difference (7.7% in PAR, 13.0% in TAR, p = 0.096). Survival at 5 years showed no difference (77.8% in TAR, 72.6% in PAR, p = 0.14). Freedom from reoperations and reinterventions, as well as composite aortic events in the distal aorta, were comparable across groups (p = 0.21, 0.84, and 0.91, respectively). The inverse probability of treatment weighting-adjusted model displayed higher 5-year freedom from reoperations and aortic events in the TAR group (p = 0.029 and 0.054, respectively).

Conclusion:  The extent of arch replacement is determined based on the patient background, making it difficult to compare the superiority of both surgical methods. However, TAR for appropriately selected patients may provide the benefit of avoiding aortic events in the long term.

Background:  Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is one of the revascularization modalities available in patients with left ventricular dysfunction (LVD). Multiple arterial grafting (MAG) is associated with improved long-term outcomes. Data on the benefits of MAG in patients with LVD are limited. We examined the effect of MAG on outcomes across the spectrum of left ventricle (LV) function.

Methods:  Retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing isolated CABG (January 1, 2009, to October 1, 2021). Patients were grouped according to revascularization strategy (single vs. MAG). The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause mortality, cerebrovascular accident, myocardial infarction, and repeat revascularization (major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events [MACCE]). The cumulative incidence of MACCE was plotted using Kaplan-Meier curves. Results were stratified according to LV function (<30%, 30-50%, >50%).

Results:  Our cohort included 4,763 patients; 1,976 (41.4%) underwent single arterial grafting (SAG), and 2,787 (58.6%) underwent MAG; 3,976 (83.4%) were male with a median age of 64 (interquartile range [IQR] 57-71) years. Distribution of LV function was 2,539 (53.3%) with an ejection fraction (EF) >50%, 1,828 (38.3%) with an EF of 30-50%, and 396 (8.3%) with an EF <30%. Median follow-up time was 64 (37-102) months. Cumulative incidence of MACCE at 72 months was 28.7% in the MAG and 30.3% in the SAG group. Stratified by LV function, the hazard ratio for MACCE at 160 months was 0.71 (95% CI 0.54-0.93), 0.78 (95% CI 0.68-0.9), and 0.95 (95% CI 0.83-1.09) for LV function <30%, 30-50%, >50%, respectively, with no significant interaction between MAG and LV function.

Conclusion:  MAG is associated with improved outcomes following CABG across the spectrum of LV function.

Background:  Respiratory muscle strength affects pulmonary function after lung resection; however, the role of diaphragm density, an emerging index of muscle quality, remains unexplored. We investigated the role of crural diaphragm density (CDD) in respiratory complications (RC) after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy for lung cancer.

Methods:  A total of 118 patients were retrospectively enrolled between 2015 and 2022. Exclusion criteria were neoadjuvant therapy, thoracic trauma, and previous cardiothoracic and abdominal surgery. Demographic, functional, and radiological data were collected. The CDD in Hounsfield Unit (HU) was defined as the average of the density of the right and left crural diaphragm at the level of the median arcuate ligament on computed tomography axial images. RC included sputum retention, respiratory infections, atelectasis, pneumonia, respiratory failure, and acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Results:  The prevalence of postoperative RC was 41% (48 of 118). RC occurred mostly in males (64.6 vs. 44.3%, p = 0.04), current smokers (41.7 vs. 21.4%, p = 0.02), a longer surgical procedure (210 vs. 180 minutes, p = 0.04), and a lower CDD (42.5 vs. 48 HU, p = 0.05). The optimal cutoff of CDD was 39.75 HU (sensitivity 43%, specificity 82%, accuracy 65%, area under the curve: 0.62, p = 0.05), slightly above the threshold for reduced muscle mass (<30 HU). By multivariable logistic regression a CDD ≤ 39.75 HU (hazard ratio [HR]: 3.134 [95% confidence interval, CI: 1.111-8.844], p = 0.03) and current smoking (HR: 2.733 [95% CI: 1.012-7.380], p = 0.05) were both independent risk factors of postoperative RC.

Conclusion:  The CDD seems to be a simple and useful tool for predicting RC after VATS lobectomy, especially among current smokers. Such patients, identified early, could benefit from preoperative functional and nutritional rehabilitation.

Background:  Coronary artery disease (CAD) limits life expectancy compared to the general population. Myocardial infarctions (MIs) are the primary cause of death. The incidence of MI increases progressively with age and most MI deaths occur in the population older than 70 years. Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) may prevent the occurrence of new MIs by bypassing most CAD lesions, providing downstream "collateralization" to the diseased vessel, and consequently prolonging survival. We systematically assessed the survival-improving potential of CABG by comparing elderly CABG patients to the age-matched general population.

Methods:  Three databases were assessed. The primary and single outcome was long-term all-cause mortality. Time-to-event data of the individual studies were extracted and reconstructed in an overall survival curve. As a sensitivity analysis, summary hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for all individual studies were pooled and meta-analytically addressed. The control group was based on the age-matched general population of each individual study.

Results:  From 1,352 records, 4 studies (4,045 patients) were included in the analysis. Elderly patients (>70 years) who underwent CABG had a significantly lower risk of death in the follow-up compared to the general age-matched population in the overall survival analysis (HR: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.83, 0.94; p < 0.001: mean follow-up was 7 years).

Conclusion:  Elderly patients who undergo CABG appear to have significantly better long-term survival compared to the age-matched general population. This advantage becomes visible after the first year and underscores the life-prolonging effect of bypass surgery, which may eliminate the expected reduction in life expectancy through CAD.

Background:  Ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) is associated with high mortality and poor outcomes. The surgical management of moderate IMR is still an object of debate.

Methods:  Patients with moderate IMR who underwent isolated off-pump coronary bypass grafting (OPCAB) with facile stabilization between January 2015 and February 2022 were analyzed. The primary endpoint was the remaining IMR and echocardiographic findings while the secondary outcomes were defined as mortality, major adverse events, and postoperative functional status.

Results:  Of 541 patients who underwent isolated OPCAB in this period, there were 62 patients with concomitant moderate IMR. The mean follow-up period was 19.4 ± 21.6 months. The median number of the coronary anastomosis was 4. In 58.06% (n = 36), the regurgitation regressed. Left atrial (LA) diameter significantly decreased postoperatively (p = 0.040). Increased LA diameter was associated with increased major adverse events (p = 0.010). Rehospitalization rates were higher in low ejection fraction (EF). The postoperative poor functional status (New York Heart Association [NYHA] III-IV) was correlated with an increased postoperative left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD; 41.75 ± 6.13 vs. 34.79 ± 6.8 mm, p = 0.05). Mortality (4.8%, n = 3) was associated with older age and increased preoperative systolic pulmonary artery pressure (PAP; p = 0.050 and p = 0.046, respectively).

Conclusion:  LA diameter, LVESD, mean systolic PAP, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and age are important predictors for outcomes in IMR. Remaining IMR per se is not directly correlated with increased mortality and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events. The facile stabilization technique we used appears to be advantageous due to the feasibility of full revascularization of all intended vessels, particularly of the inferoposterior wall by providing excellent vision without compression of the heart.

Background:  Although advancements in the management of thoracic aortic disease have led to a reduction in acute mortality, individuals requiring postoperative reintervention experience substantially worse long-term clinical outcomes and increased mortality. We aimed to identify the risk factors for postoperative reintervention in this high-risk population.

Patients and methods:  This prospective observational cohort study included patients who survived endovascular or open surgical treatment for thoracic aortic disease between January 2009 and June 2020. We excluded those with inflammatory or traumatic thoracic aortic diseases. The risk factors were identified using multivariate logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards regression models.

Results:  The study included 95 genetically tested patients aged 54.13 ± 12.13 years, comprising 67 men (70.53%) and 28 women (29.47%). Primary open surgery was performed in 74.7% and endovascular repair in 25.3% of the patients. Of these, 35.8% required one or more reinterventions at the time of follow-up (3 ± 2.5 years, mean ± standard deviation). The reintervention rate was higher in the endovascular repair group than in the open repair group. Among the potential risk factors, only residual aortic dissection emerged as an independent predictor of reintervention (odds ratio: 3.29, 95% confidence interval: 1.25-8.64).

Conclusion:  Reintervention after primary thoracic aortic repair remains a significant clinical issue, even in high-volume tertiary centers. Close follow-up and personalized care at aortic centers are imperative. In our cohort of patients with thoracic aortic disease undergoing open or endovascular surgery, postoperative residual dissection was independently associated with the necessity of reintervention, emphasizing the importance of intensified clinical monitoring in these patients.

Background:  The aim of this study is to compare the insertion sites of drainage tubes placed in the left thorax after elective coronary artery bypass grafting surgeries.

Materials and methods:  Patients were divided into two groups based on the site of tube insertion into the left hemithorax: those with a tube inserted from the subxiphoid region and those with a tube inserted from the left intercostal region. Comparative analyses between these two groups and factor analyses contributing to the outcome were performed.

Results:  There were no significant differences observed in terms of age, gender, height, and weight among patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery based on the site of drain placement. Twelve patients (5.2%) required re-drainage procedures, with 5 (41.7%) for pneumothorax and 7 (58.3%) for pleural effusion. Atelectasis was absent in 144 patients (62.1%) while present in 88 patients (37.9%). The frequency of atrial fibrillation was significantly higher in the group with intercostal drains. Additionally, pain scale scores were significantly higher in patients with intercostal drains. Path analysis revealed that the visual pain scale value played a full mediating role in the effect of drain site on atrial fibrillation.

Conclusion:  The statistically significant occurrence of pain and higher rates of postoperative atrial fibrillation in patients with intercostal tube placement are noteworthy. We believe that in patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass surgery, the drain placed in the left hemithorax should be inserted from the subxiphoid region, if there are no contraindications.