Separate grafts or en bloc anastomosis for arch vessels reimplantation to the aortic arch

BACKGROUND: This study compares the results of the separated graft technique and the en bloc technique as a method of arch vessels reimplantation during surgery of the aortic arch and determines the predictive risk factors associated with hospital mortality and adverse neurologic outcome during aortic arch repair. METHODS: Between October 1995 and March 2002, 352 patients (mean age 64.9 +/- 11.3 years; urgent status: 49/352 [13.9%]) underwent surgery of the aortic arch using the separated graft technique (group A: n = 230 [65.3%]) and the en bloc technique (group B: n = 122 [34.7%]) to reimplant the arch vessels. An aortic arch replacement was performed in 32 patients (9.1%), an ascending aorta and arch replacement in 222 patients (53.1%), an aortic arch and descending aorta replacement in 16 patients (4.5%), and a complete replacement of the thoracic aorta in 82 patients (23.3%). Brain protection was achieved by means of antegrade selective cerebral perfusion in all patients. The mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was 204.8 +/- 61.9 minutes (group A: 199.7 +/- 57.0 minutes; group B: 214.5 +/- 69.4 minutes; p = 0.033), the mean myocardial ischemic time was 121.5 +/- 43.2 minutes (group A: 116.7 +/- 38.9 minutes; group B: 130.80 +/- 49.4 minutes; p = 0.003), and the mean antegrade selective cerebral perfusion time was 84.5 +/- 36.4 (group A: separated graft technique 91.3 +/- 36.3 minutes; group B: 70.6 +/- 32.7 minutes; p = 0.000). RESULTS: Overall hospital mortality was 6.8% (group A: 6.5%; group B: 7.4%; p = not significant [NS]). The permanent neurologic dysfunction rate was 3.5% (group A: 4.0%; group B: 2.5%; p = NS). The transient neurologic dysfunction rate was 5.4% (group A: 5.5%; group B: 5.2%, p = NS). Postoperative systemic morbidity was similar in the two groups. A logistic regression analysis revealed preoperative cardiac tamponade (p = 0.011; odds ratio [OR] = 5.9) and cardiopulmonary bypass time (p = 0.010; OR = 1.01/min) to be independent predictors of hospital mortality. None of the analyzed preoperative variables were associated with an increased risk of permanent neurologic dysfunction. Age more than 70 years old (p = 0.029, OR = 5.7), myocardial revascularization (p = 0.001, OR = 2.9), and pump time (p = 0.013, OR = 1.01/min) were indicated as independent predictors of transient neurologic dysfunction by logistic regression. CONCLUSIONS: Antegrade selective cerebral perfusion was confirmed to be a safe method of cerebral protection allowing complex aortic arch operations to be performed with acceptable results in terms of hospital mortality and neurologic outcome. The separated graft technique had no adverse impact on hospital mortality and morbidity.     

The Carpentier-Edwards standard porcine bioprosthesis. A first-generation tissue valve with excellent long-term clinical performance

The Carpentier-Edwards standard porcine bioprosthesis was implanted in 1190 patients (1201 operations, 1303 valves) between January 1975 and June 1986; most implants were before 1982. The mean age of the patients was 57.2 years (range 8 to 85 years). The early mortality was 7.6% (aortic valve replacement 5.1%, mitral valve replacement 8.8%, and multiple valve replacement 15.3%). Late mortality was 3.9% per patient-year (aortic valve replacement 3.6%, mitral valve replacement 4.2%, and multiple valve replacement 3.8%). The total cumulative follow-up period was 6737 years. Thromboembolism was 1.5% per patient-year (fatal 0.4% per patient-year) (minor 0.6%, major 0.9%); antithromboembolic therapy-related hemorrhage was 0.5% (fatal 0.1%); prosthetic valve endocarditis was 0.6% (fatal 0.2%); nonstructural dysfunction was 0.5% (fatal 0.2%); and structural valve deterioration and/or primary tissue failure was 1.5% per patient-year (fatal, 0.2% per patient-year). Thromboembolism and structural valve deterioration were the significant complications, structural valve deterioration occurring primarily between the sixth and 10th year of evaluation. The overall patient survival was 65.0% for aortic valve replacement and 54.8% for mitral valve replacement (p less than 0.05) at 10 years. The patients were classified as 92.9% New York Heart Association functional classes III and IV preoperatively and 92.3% classes I and II postoperatively. Freedom at 10 years from thromboembolism was 84.3% for aortic valve replacement and 76.5% for mitral valve replacement (p = 0.05); structural valve deterioration was 78.6% for aortic valve replacement and 71.6% for mitral valve replacement (p less than 0.05); reoperation was 74.4% for aortic valve replacement and 67.1% for mitral valve replacement (p less than 0.05). Freedom from all valve-related complications at 10 years was 58.9% for aortic valve replacement and 46.8% for mitral valve replacement (p less than 0.05); valve-related mortality was 89.5% for aortic valve replacement and 82.6% for mitral valve replacement (p = not significant); mortality and reoperation was 58.9% for aortic valve replacement and 46.8% for mitral valve replacement (p less than 0.05); mortality and residual morbidity (treatment failure) was 87.2% for aortic valve replacement and 75.1% for mitral valve replacement (p = not significant); mortality, residual morbidity, and reoperation were 66.3% for aortic valve replacement and 54.9% for mitral valve replacement (p less than 0.05). The standard Carpentier-Edwards porcine bioprosthesis has provided satisfactory clinical performance and has afforded patients excellent quality of life.     

Is There an Advantage to Repairing Infected Mitral Valves?

Background. The therapy for native mitral valve endocarditis is in evolution. Antibiotics have significantly improved survival rates, but patients with complications of endocarditis may require surgical treatment.

Methods. Between January 1985 and December 1995, 146 patients underwent surgical therapy (repair or replacement) for native mitral valve endocarditis. All patients had documented bacterial endocarditis. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine predictors of hospital death, long-term event-free survival, and probability of repair. Patients were evaluated in three groups: all patients, patients with acute endocarditis, and patients with chronic endocarditis.

Results. There were ten hospital deaths (6.8%). Patients undergoing repair had a lower hospital mortality rate (p = 0.008) then those having replacement. Event-free survival was improved after mitral valve repair in the overall group (p = 0.02) and in the group with healed (chronic) endocarditis (p = 0.05). Although the acute endocarditis group demonstrated an improved event-free survival rate after mitral valve repair versus replacement (74% versus 20% at 6 years), this did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusions. We conclude that mitral valve repair is preferable to mitral valve replacement when possible, in patients with complications of endocarditis, as repair results in a lower hospital mortality and an improved long-term survival.     

Operative risk of reoperative aortic valve replacement

OBJECTIVE: The contemporary risk of reoperative aortic valve replacement is ill-defined. We therefore compared the recent early results of reoperative and primary aortic valve replacement in our institution. METHODS: Between January 1993 and January 2001, a total of 162 patients underwent reoperative aortic valve replacement with or without coronary artery bypass grafting, and 2290 underwent primary aortic valve replacement with or without coronary artery bypass grafting. The reoperative and primary groups were similar with regard to gender (37% female in both), preoperative New York Heart Association functional class (2.8 +/- 1 vs 2.8 +/- 1), and ejection fraction (58% +/- 15% vs 57% +/- 15%). Patients undergoing reoperative aortic valve replacement were younger than those undergoing primary aortic valve replacement (64 +/- 15 years vs 70 +/- 13 years, P < .001). Previous prostheses were xenografts in 77 patients (48%), homografts and autografts in 25 (15%), and mechanical prostheses in 60 (37%). Mean time to reoperation was 9.7 +/- 6.8 years. RESULTS: Early mortality for reoperative aortic valve replacement (8/162, 5%) was not statistically different from that for primary aortic valve replacement (71/2290, 3%, P = .20). Endocarditis was more common in the reoperative group (22% vs 3%, P < .001); when endocarditis was excluded from the analysis, early mortality was 3% in both groups. Multivariate predictors for early mortality were prosthetic valve endocarditis ( P < .001, odds ratio 9.8), advanced preoperative functional class ( P < .001, odds ratio 2.0), peripheral vascular disease ( P = .008, odds ratio 2.0), preserved left ventricular ejection fraction ( P = .004, odds ratio 0.98), and male gender ( P = .009, odds ratio 0.49). After adjustment for these factors, there was no difference in early mortality between the groups ( P = .095). CONCLUSION: The risk of reoperative aortic valve replacement is similar to that for primary aortic valve replacement. These data support the expanded use of bioprosthetic valves in younger patients.     

Perioperative risk factors for mortality in patients with acute type A aortic dissection

BACKGROUND: This study was undertaken to identify the perioperative risk factors for death in patients with acute type A aortic dissection (AADA). METHODS: Between 1993 and 2001, 108 consecutive patients (86 men; mean age, 53 years) underwent emergent operations for AADA. All patients but 2 underwent replacement of the ascending aorta with an open distal anastomosis during a period of hypothermic circulatory arrest. In addition, 22 patients had hemiarch and 5 had total arch replacement. Aortic root was replaced in 20 and repaired with gelatin-resorcinol-formaldehyde glue in 39 patients; aortic valve was separately replaced in 3, resuspended in 24, and remained untouched in 22 patients. RESULTS: Overall in-hospital mortality was 25%. Mortality rate was significantly higher in patients with preoperative dissection complications than in those without (21/36 [58%] vs 6/72 [8%], p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, predictors of mortality were presence of rupture, renal failure, and intestinal malperfusion, duration of cardiopulmonary bypass > or = 200 minutes, blood loss > or = 500 mL, and transfusion of blood > or = 4 units. Location of the intimal tear, extent of the replacement, type of the aortic root repair, and duration of hypothermic circulatory arrest did not emerge as predictors of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Major determinants of surgical mortality in patients with AADA are preoperative complications. Earlier diagnosis remains essential to improve the survival rate.     

Reoperations for valve surgery: perioperative mortality and determinants of risk for 1,000 patients, 1958-1984

One thousand consecutive cardiac reoperations for valve surgery in 897 patients were reviewed to determine in-hospital mortality and indicators of risk. Subgroups based on the number of previous cardiac procedures and the valve or valves replaced or repaired at reoperation (aortic valve, mitral valve, tricuspid valve, or multiple valves and mortality [deaths/number of procedures (% mortality)]) for those subgroups are as follows: (Table: see text) Predictors of increased risk for a first aortic valve reoperation were advanced age (p = .0002), endocarditis (p = .0018), female sex (p = .014), impaired left ventricular function (p = .039), and number of coronary vessels obstructed by 70% or more (p = .055). For a first mitral valve reoperation, the predictors were advanced age (p less than .0001), preoperative shock or cardiac arrest (p = .01), previous aortic or tricuspid valve operations (p = .02), type of mitral valve procedure (risk for repair of periprosthetic leak was greater than mitral valve replacement which was greater than mitral valve-conserving operation [p = .05]), and impaired left ventricular function (p = .059). For a first multiple valve reoperation, the predictors were diabetes (p = .04) and ascites (p = .02), whereas patients undergoing mitral valve replacement and tricuspid valve operations were at decreased risk (p = .01). Comparison of second reoperations with first reoperations indicates risk increases for multiple operations (p = .01) but not for aortic or mitral valve procedures. Rereplacement of a prosthesis (p = .007), coronary bypass grafting at reoperation (p = .006), and advanced age (p = .06) increased the risk for second reoperations. Age is the most consistent predictor of risk for patients undergoing valve reoperations.     

Aortic valve replacement in geriatric patients: determinants of in-hospital mortality

BACKGROUND: Aortic valve replacement is a common procedure in elderly patients. There has been a great deal of controversy about the risks associated with early mortality. Uncertainty of the risk associated with a small valve continues to remain controversial. This study was designed to identify the risk factors influencing early mortality and establish an accurate model for the prediction of in-hospital mortality. METHODS: One hundred eighty septuagenarians and octogenarians (58% women; mean age, 76 +/- 4.7 years) underwent primary isolated aortic valve replacement between 1986 and 1997. There was an overall mortality of 16.7% (n = 180). Patients with a body surface area less than 1.8 m2 had an in-hospital mortality of 23.2% (n = 95) compared with 8.1% (n = 74; p = 0.009) for patients with a body surface area of 1.8 m2 or more. Patients with a cardiopulmonary bypass time of less than 100 minutes experienced an early mortality of 8.9% (n = 56) compared with a 10.2% (n = 59) early mortality for patients on bypass time between 100 and 124 minutes and a 29.6% (n = 64) early mortality in patients with a pump time longer than 124 minutes (p = 0.040). RESULTS: Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified small body surface area and long cardiopulmonary bypass time as independent risk factors. A higher mortality was seen in female patients and patients receiving smaller valves. However, there was a strong correlation between small body surface area, small valve size, and female gender. CONCLUSIONS: Small body surface area and long cardiopulmonary bypass time are two independent risk factors in early mortality for elderly patients undergoing primary isolated aortic valve replacement. The use of small valves does not influence early mortality.     

Aortic root surgery does not increase the operative risk of acute type A aortic dissection

Controversy exists regarding aortic root reconstruction in the management of acute type A aortic dissection (AAD). One hundred fifty-four patients (mean age 56.9 ± 11.3 years) with AAD had surgical repair between 1996 and 2007. Group 1 (n = 110) required no aortic root surgery. Seventy-one patients had ascending aortic replacement. The aortic valve was repaired in 37 patients (34%) and replaced in one. Group 2 (n = 44) had aortic root surgery. Thirty-four patients had composite root replacement, and seven had a valve-sparing root replacement. Root reconstruction and separate valve replacement was accomplished in three. Hemiarch replacement was included in 39 (35.4%) Group 1 patients and in 12 (27.9%) Group 2 patients. Forty-nine of the 154 patients presented in cardiogenic shock. Multiple risk factors for operative mortality were analyzed. The overall operative mortality was 9.7 per cent: 11 per cent for Group 1 and 6.8 per cent for Group 2 (P = NS). By multivariate analysis, preoperative shock (P = 0.03, odds ratio [OR] = 5.48), postoperative ventricular arrhythmias (P = 0.002, OR = 4.62), and packed red blood cell transfusion (P = 0.002, OR = 1.15) were independent predictors of hospital death. Prompt surgical treatment of AAD before cardiogenic shock ensues can improve the outcome of patients. When indicated, aortic root surgery can be performed without increased mortality and morbidity.     

Outcome of surgical management for active mitral native valve infective endocarditis: a collective review of 57 patients

Objective

At our institutions, mitral valve vegetation with a high risk for embolism is surgically treated as soon as possible to maintain the quality of life of patients, and valve repair has been actively performed. We reviewed the surgical outcome for active mitral infective endocarditis (AMIE) following this treatment policy.

Methods

Fifty-seven patients underwent surgery for native AMIE between April 1999 and December 2012 (repair 36, replacement 21). We retrospectively investigated the risk factors for in-hospital death, the prognosis of patients with cerebral infarction, and the short- and long-term outcomes of valve repair and replacement.

Results

The preoperative conditions and the intraoperative findings in the replacement group were more complicated. But, no significant differences were observed in in-hospital mortality, 4-year survival, or 4-year reoperation-free rate between the groups (repair 8, 88.2, and 92.4 %; replacement 9, 90.5, and 94.7 %, respectively). The incidence of postoperative cardiac-related events including heart failure, thromboembolism, and major bleeding was higher in the replacement group. Although our study failed to identify predictors of in-hospital mortality, uncontrolled and nosocomial infections were responsible for high in-hospital mortality of 17 and 33 %, respectively. Nine patients with symptomatic non-hemorrhagic cerebral infarction underwent early surgery within 2 weeks of the onset of stroke (median maximum infarct diameter and volume: 18.2?mm and 0.72?cm³, respectively). No patients had severe hemorrhagic conversion.

Conclusion

Mitral valve repair is appropriate to prevent postoperative cardiac-related events. Reducing in-hospital mortality due to uncontrolled infection remains challenging. Early surgery may be reasonable for patients with small non-hemorrhagic infarction.     

Predictors of early and mid-term results in contemporary aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis

Abstract Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical risk factors and assess the impact of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) scores on outcomes after contemporary aortic valve replacement (AVR) for aortic stenosis (AS). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data from 209 consecutive patients with AS (mean 69 ± 9 years) who underwent AVR. The outcomes measured included operative mortality, postoperative complications, postoperative prolonged length of stay (PLOS), discharge to nonhome location, and mid‐term mortality. Results: Operative mortality was 3.8%, and five‐year survival was 88.6 ± 2.8%. Multivariable analysis revealed preoperative New York Heart Association (NYHA) class as a significant predictor of both operative mortality (p = 0.03; odds ratio [OR]: 8.5) and mid‐term mortality (p = 0.02; OR: 10.5). NYHA class also emerged as an independent predictor for postoperative complications (p = 0.002; OR: 5.8) and PLOS (p = 0.01; OR: 2.5). Other preoperative independent predictors included dialysis for PLOS (p = 0.04; OR: 2.9), age (p = 0.03; OR: 1.1), and left ventricular ejection fraction (EF; p = 0.03; OR: 0.9) for nonhome discharge, and EF for mid‐term mortality (p = 0.01; OR: 0.9). The mean STS‐PROM (predicted risk of mortality) was 4.6% ± 6.1%, and thus, the observed‐to‐expected (O/E) ratio of operative mortality in our series was 0.82. Conclusions: Advanced NYHA class, older age, dialysis, and lower EF are significant independent preoperative risk factors for early and mid‐term results of AVR for AS. Consideration of these predictors should be used to identify high‐risk patients requiring AVR for AS.     

Auswirkung der pr?operativen Zahnsanierung vor Herzklappenersatz auf die Inzidenz einer postoperativen Endokarditis

Objective

Infectious endocarditis after heart valve replacement remains a serious problem which may result in reoperation or is associated with increased mortality. The present study analyzed whether preoperative reconstructive dentistry is equivalent to preoperative extraction of diseased teeth on the development of postoperative endocarditis.

Material and methods

In a retrospective study, 98 consecutive patients undergoing heart valve replacement [aortic valve replacement (AVR, n= 90) or mitral valve replacement (MVR, n=8)] at the University of Würzburg and who had either preoperatively repaired teeth or were preoperatively toothless were analyzed regaring pre-, intra-, and postoperative parameters, mortality, and the occurrence of infectious endocarditis up to 1?year postoperatively.

Results

There were no differences between the pre-, intra-, and postoperative parameters between the two groups. Likewise, no differences were observed regarding the appearance of infectious endocarditis up to 1?year postoperatively.

Conclusion

Preoperative dental repair is an alternative to teeth extraction prior to heart valve replacement; no increased risk of dental-related postoperative infectious endocarditis was identified.     

The impact of symptom severity on cardiac reoperative risk: early referral and reoperation is warranted.

BACKGROUND: Operative mortality is comparatively higher for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or valve reoperations. Studies of reoperative risk have focussed on surgical techniques. We sought to determine the risk and predictors of poor outcome in current practice, and the influence of preoperative symptoms. METHOD: For every redo patient (n=289), we selected the best-matched pair of patients who underwent a primary operation (n=578) between 1998 and 2006. Matching variables were age, gender, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and type of operation. Poor outcome was defined as operative mortality or major morbidity. RESULT: Median age was 68 (interquartile range 62-73) years and 28% were female for both groups. Severe symptoms and cardiac morbidity dominated the presentation of redo patients. CABG (53%), valve repair/replacement (34%) and combined CABG and valve (12%) were performed with overall operative mortality of 6.6% (median additive EuroScore 7.0) for redo versus 1.6% (median additive EuroScore 4.0) for primary groups (p<.0001). Whereas no significant difference was observed between primary (1.6%) and redo CABG (3.9%, p=.19), valve reoperations had higher operative mortality (9.6% vs 1.5%, p<.0001). Major complications occurred more frequently after redo valve compared to primary valve operations (28% vs 14%, p=.001). Reoperation (odds ratio [OR] 1.26, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.66-2.42, p=.48) was not a predictor of major adverse event after CABG or valve surgery. Determinants of poor outcome after valve reoperations were New York Heart Association class III/IV (OR 6.86, 95% CI 2.29-12.11, p=.03), duration of extracorporeal circulation (OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.02-1.35, p=.03) and mitral valve replacement (OR 4.07, 95% CI 1.83-36.01, p=.04). The predictors of major adverse events after redo CABG were congestive heart failure (OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.04-8.98, p=.006) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR 17.5, 95% CI 1.87-35.21, p=.05) and interval from prior surgery (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.09-1.92, p=.01). CONCLUSION: In the current era, redo CABG is nearly as safe as the primary operation. A valve reoperation, on the contrary, is higher risk due, partly, to severe symptoms at presentation. Patients should be referred and operated on early before they develop severe symptoms.     

Predictors and outcome of gastrointestinal complications in patients undergoing cardiac surgery

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and independent predictors of gastrointestinal complications (GICs) following cardiac surgery. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Gastrointestinal ischemia and hemorrhage represent a rare but devastating complication following heart surgery. The profile of patients referred for cardiac surgery has changed during the last decade, questioning the validity of previously reported incidence and risk factors. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed prospectively collected data from 4819 patients undergoing cardiac surgery between 1998 and 2004. Patients with GICs were compared with the entire patient population. Study endpoints were mortality, postoperative morbidities, and long-term survival. RESULTS: GICs occurred in 51 (1.1%) patients. Etiologies were intestinal ischemia (n = 30; 59%) and hemorrhage (n = 21; 41%). The incidence decreased during the study period (1998-2001: 1.3%, 2002-2004: 0.7%; P = 0.04). The incidence per type of procedure was as follows: coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)/valve (2.4%), aortic surgery (1.7%), valve surgery (1.0%), and CABG (0.5%; P = 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed age (odds ratio [OR] = 2.1), myocardial infarction (OR = 2.5), CHF (OR = 2.4), hemodynamic instability (OR = 2.8), cardiopulmonary bypass time >120 minutes (OR = 6.2), peripheral vascular disease (OR = 2.2), renal (OR = 3.2), and hepatic failure (OR = 10.8) as independent predictors of GICs. The overall hospital mortality among patients with GICs was 33%. Long-term survival was significantly decreased in patients with GICs compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Gastrointestinal complications following cardiac surgery remain rare with an incidence <1% in a contemporary series. The key to a lower incidence of GICs lies in systematic application of preventive measures and new advances in intraoperative management. Identification of independent risk factors would facilitate the determination of patients who would benefit from additional perioperative monitoring. Future resources should therefore be redirected to mitigate GICs in high-risk patients.     

Recurrent infective endocarditis: a multivariate analysis of 21 years of experience. arenzul@tin.it

BACKGROUND: To evaluate which variables predict recurrence of endocarditis after surgical treatment, we reviewed our 21-year experience. METHODS: Between January 1979 and May 2000, 308 consecutive valve replacement procedures for infective endocarditis were performed in 271 patients. Univariate and multivariate time-related analyses were performed to retrospectively evaluate the role of the following variables in the development of recurrent postoperative endocarditis: gender, site of endocarditis, previous valve disease, drug abuse, diabetes, positive valve/blood cultures, sepsis, perivalvular involvement, previous embolic events, type of replacement device, and persistent postoperative fever. RESULTS: Clinical and echocardiographic follow-up was 97.36% complete, mean follow-up time was 53.2+/-3.4 months. Recurrent endocarditis developed in 58 cases (22.5%). Variables predicting recurrence were prosthetic endocarditis (p = 0.00001), positive valve culture (p = 0.0039), and persistence of fever at the seventh postoperative day (p = 0.000001). CONCLUSIONS: Correct protocols of antibiotic therapy guided by microbiology may reduce the incidence of recurrent endocarditis to allow for surgery on sterile tissues and to prevent prosthetic infection. Recurrence rate is not affected by the choice of valve substitute, but can be prevented by complete surgical debridement.     

Predictors of mortality after aortic valve replacement.

Aortic valve replacement (AVR) is recommended as a standard surgical procedure for aortic valve disease. Still the evidence for commonly claimed predictors of post-AVR prognosis, in particular mortality, appears scant. This systematic review reports on the evidence for predictors of post-AVR mortality, and may be helpful in pre-surgical risk-stratification. In PubMed, we searched for original reports of post-AVR follow-up studies. We assessed the quality of study design and methods with a standardized checklist. Data of the reported predictors of mortality and outcomes were extracted. Twenty-eight studies met our inclusion criteria. Sixteen studies were considered of high quality. There is strong evidence that the risk of early mortality is increased by emergency surgery, while the risk of late mortality is increased with older age and preoperative atrial fibrillation. There is moderate evidence that the risk of early mortality is increased by older age, aortic insufficiency, coronary artery disease, longer cardiopulmonary bypass time, reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LV-EF), infective endocarditis, hypertension, mechanical valves, preoperative pacing, dialysis-dependent renal failure and valve size; and that the risk for late mortality is increased by emergency surgery and urgency of the operation. There is little evidence for high New York Heart Association class, concomitant coronary artery bypass graft and many other commonly claimed risk factors for post-AVR mortality. The reported evidence on predictors of post-AVR mortality will help for pre-surgical risk-stratification, i.e. to discern patients at high or low risk for early and late post-AVR mortality. Future prognostic studies should take the evidence from this review into account and should focus on derivation of a predictive model for post-AVR survival.     

Valvular heart operation is an independent risk factor for acute renal failure

BACKGROUND: Acute renal failure (ARF) after cardiac operation with cardiopulmonary bypass is associated with a high mortality rate. The purpose of this study was to determine and quantify whether valvular heart operation is an independent risk factor for developing ARF. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 5,132 consecutive patients who underwent cardiac operation involving cardiopulmonary bypass between April 1997 and March 2001. Patients with significant renal impairment (preoperative serum creatinine > 200 micromol/L) were excluded. A multivariable logistic regression model was constructed to identify independent risk factors for the postoperative development of ARF. RESULTS: In 151 (2.9%) patients ARF developed before hospital discharge. The crude incidence of ARF for isolated coronary artery bypass grafting, isolated valve(s) operation, and valve(s) with coronary artery bypass grafting operation was 1.9%, 4.4%, and 7.5%, respectively (p < 0.001). The results of the logistic regression analysis found that valve operation with or without coronary artery bypass grafting was an independent risk factor for the development of postoperative ARF (odds ratio 2.68, 95% confidence interval 1.89 to 3.79; p < 0.001). Other independent predictors of ARF were increased preoperative serum creatinine levels, urgent or emergent operation, insulin-dependent diabetes, and increased cardiopulmonary bypass time. CONCLUSIONS: Valve operation is an independent risk factor for postoperative ARF. This risk is further increased by prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass.     

Acute renal failure during eclampsia: incidence risks factors and outcome in intensive care unit

OBJECTIVE: To assess the incidence, risk factors and the outcome of acute renal failure (ARF) associated with eclampsia in intensive care unit (ICU). DESIGN: Prospective and analytic study. SETTING: A surgical ICU in a university hospital. PATIENTS: 178 consecutive women with eclampsia admitted to an intensive care unit during seven years. ARF was defined by a serum creatinine concentration >140 micromol/L. RESULTS: The incidence of ARF was 25.8%. In univariate analysis the severity of patient illness, the complications associated with eclampsia (disseminated intravascular coagulation, Hellp syndrome, neurologic complications, abruptio placenta, aspiration pneumonia, delivery hemorrhage) were significantly associated with ARF. In a logistic regression model, risk factors for ARF included organ system failure (OSF) odds ratio (OR)=1.81 confidence interval (CI) [1.08-3.05], bilirubin >12 micromol/L OR=4.42 CI [1.54-12.68], uric acid >5.9 g/dL OR=16.5 CI [3.09-87.94], abruptio placenta OR=0.2 7 CI [0.08-0.99], and oliguria OR=0.10 CI [0.03-0.44]. In contrast, severity of blood pressure or proteinuria on dipstick were not associated with ARF. However, in this series, 15 women required dialysis in the short term and one required long-term dialysis. ARF associated with eclampsia was significantly associated with mortality (32.6% versus 9.1% p=0.0001). CONCLUSION: ARF with eclampsia is a frequent situation that required intensive management when risks factors were present. The need for dialysis was a rare condition.     

Outcomes after cerebral aneurysm clip occlusion in the United States: the need for evidence-based hospital referral

OBJECT: In an age of multimodality and multidisciplinary treatment of cerebral aneurysms, patient outcomes have improved significantly. For a number of complex surgical procedures, hospitals with high case volumes yield superior outcomes. The effect of hospital volume on the mortality rate after emergency and elective cerebral aneurysm clip occlusion in a nationally representative sample of patients is unknown. METHODS: Using clinical data derived from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample for the years from 1995 through 1999, 12,023 patients who underwent clip occlusion of a cerebral aneurysm (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification code 3951) were included. Patient age, comorbid conditions, nature of admission, and diagnosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage were abstracted. Hospital case volume was grouped into quartiles. Unadjusted and case-mix adjusted analyses were performed. The mean patient age was 53.2 +/- 13.5 years. The overall crude postoperative mortality rates for emergency and elective aneurysm clip occlusion were 12.2 and 6.6%, respectively. Very low volume hospitals demonstrated higher mortality rates than very high volume hospitals for both emergency (14.7 compared with 8.9%, p < 0.001) and elective (9.4 compared with 4.5%, p < 0.001) aneurysm surgery. Patient-specific predictors of death in the multivariate model were renal disease (odds ratio [OR] 3.32, p < 0.042); age (> 60 years, OR 2.36, p < 0.001; 51-60 years, OR 1.63, p < 0.001; 40-50 years, OR 1.25, p = 0.047); chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (present, OR 1.52, p < 0.001); and nature of admission (emergency, OR 1.18, p = 0.03). Provider-specific predictors of death included very low volume (OR 1.59, p < 0.001); low-volume (OR 1.37, p = 0.001); and high-volume (OR 1.45, p < 0.001) hospitals compared with very high volume hospitals. CONCLUSIONS: A significant volume-outcome effect exists for surgical treatment of cerebral aneurysms in the US. Factors influencing this effect should be investigated to guide future healthcare policy and evidence-based referral. Whenever possible, healthcare practitioners should refer patients to centers in which superior outcomes are consistently demonstrated.     

Surgical management for active infective endocarditis: A single hospital 10 years experience

Objective  Surgical treatment of active infective endocarditis (IE) requires not only homodynamic repair, but also, special emphasis on the eradiation of the infection to prevent recurrence. This study was undertaken to examine the outcome of surgery for active infective endocarditis. Methods  One hundred sixty-four consecutive patients (pts) underwent valve surgery for active IE in Madani Heart Centre (Tabriz, Iran) from 1996 to 2006. Patients presenting with IE diagnosis (according to Duke Criteriaset) were eligible for study. Results  The mean age of patients was 36.3±16 years overall: 34.6±17.5 years for native valve endocarditis and 38.6±15.2 years for prosthetic valve endocarditis (p=0.169). Ninety one (55.5%) of patients were men. The infected valve was native in 112 (68.3%) of patients and prosthetic in 52 (31.7%). In 61 (37%) patients, no predisposing heart disease was found. The aortic valve was infected in 78 (47.6%), the mitral valve in 69 (42.1%), and multiple valves in 17 (10.3%) of patients. Active culture-positive endocarditis was present in 81 (49.4%) whereas 83 (50.6%) patients had culture-negative endocarditis. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common isolated microorganism. Ninety patients (54.8%) were in NYHA classe III and IV. Mechanical valves were implanted in 69 patients (42.1%) and bioprostheses in 95 (57.9%), including homograft in 19 (11.5%). There were 16 (9%) operative deaths, but there was only 1 death in patients that underwent aortic homograft replacement. Reoperation was required in 18 (10.9%) of cases. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, Staphylococcus aureus infection (p=0.008), prosthetic valve endocarditis (p=0.01), paravalvular abscess (p=0.001) and left ventricular ejection fraction less than 40% (p=0.04) were independent predictors of inhospital mortality. Conclusions  Surgery for infective endocarditis continues to be challenging and associated with high operative mortality and morbidity. Prosthetic valve endocarditis, impaired ventricular function, paravalvular abscess and Staphylococcus aureus infection adversely affect in-hospital mortality. Also we found that aortic valve replacement with an aortic homograft can be performed with acceptable in hospital mortality and provides satisfactory results.     

Surgery for active culture-positive endocarditis: determinants of early and late outcome

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to describe a single unit experience in the surgical treatment of active culture-positive endocarditis and identify determinants of early and late outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred eighteen consecutive patients with positive blood culture up to 3 weeks before operation (or positive valve culture) and macroscopic evidence of lesions typical for endocarditis, undergoing operation between January 1973 and December 1996 in Southampton, were evaluated. The aortic valve was infected in 53 (48.9%), the mitral in 46 (39%), both aortic and mitral in 12 (10.1%), the tricuspid in 4 (3.9%), and the pulmonary valve in 3 (2.5%). Native valve endocarditis was present in 83 (70.3%) and prosthetic valve endocarditis in 35 (29.7%). Streptococci and staphylococci were the most common pathogens. Mean follow-up was 5.6 years (range, 0 to 25 years). RESULTS: Operative mortality was 7.6% (9 patients). Endocarditis recurred in 8 (6.7%). A reoperation was required in 12 (10.2%). There was 24 late deaths, 17 of them cardiac. Actuarial freedom from recurrent endocarditis, reoperation, late cardiac death, and long-term survival at 10 years were 85.9%, 87.2%, 85.2%, and 73.1%, respectively. On multiple regression analysis the following were independent adverse predictors: pulmonary edema (p = 0.007) and impaired left ventricular function (p = 0.02) for operative mortality; prosthetic valve endocarditis (p = 0.01) for recurrent infection; myocardial invasion by the infection (p = 0.01) and reoperation (p = 0.04) for late cardiac death; and coagulase-negative staphylococcus (p = 0.02), annular abscess (p = 0.02), and longer intensive care unit stay (p = 0.02) for long-term survival. CONCLUSIONS: Operation for active culture-positive endocarditis carries an acceptable mortality. Freedom from recurrent infection, reoperation, and long-term survival are satisfactory. In our data, patients' hemodynamic status at operation was the major determinant of operative mortality. Prosthetic valve endocarditis, coagulase-negative staphylococcus, and annular or myocardial infectious invasion were the critical adverse determinants of late outcome.