Heart surgery in the elderly

Heart surgery has been performed in an increasing number of elderly patients in the recent years. Currently about 20 % of all patients in cardiac surgery are older than 75 years, however their number is increasing constantly. Valve replacement (mainly aortic valve replacement, AVR), coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or combined procedures (AVR and CABG) are the most common procedures in the elderly. However, surgical therapy of heart failure, implantation of assist devices or cardiac transplantation have been performed only in a limited number of elderly patients. Surgical pathways in the therapy of coronary artery disease or valve disease are described. Furthermore, age related morbidity and mortality and related surgical options to improve the outcome are discussed.     

Myocardial Revascularization for the Elderly: Current Options, Role of Off-pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting and Outcomes

The increase in life expectancy has confronted cardiac surgery with a rapidly growing population of elderly patients requiring surgical myocardial revascularization. Recent advances in surgical and anesthetic techniques and improvements in postoperative care have made coronary artery bypass grafting an established therapeutic option for the treatment of coronary artery disease in this group of patients. However, conventional coronary artery bypass grafting on cardiopulmonary bypass is associated with significant risk and related morbidity and mortality in the elderly. In recent years off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting has emerged as a safe and less invasive strategy for surgical myocardial revascularization. Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting by avoiding the deleterious effects of cardiopulmonary bypass can offer potential benefits to elderly patients requiring surgical myocardial revascularization. This review article provides an overview of the age-related cardiovascular changes, epidemiology of coronary artery disease in the elderly and focuses on outcomes of surgical myocardial revascularization with special emphasis on the impact of off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery in the elderly.     

Maladaptation after successful revascularization in anginal patients without transmural infarction

In order to elucidate how peripheral or cardiac function maladaptations play a role in deconditioning after coronary bypass surgery, we have evaluated effects of successful coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTCA) on exercise capacity in anginal patients without myocardial infarction. Symptom-limited treadmill exercise tests were performed in 46 patients before and after CABG and in 28 patients before and after PTCA. None of the patients carried out a cardiac rehabilitation program after their discharge. PTCA patients showed significant improvement of exercise capacity, from 6.4 +/- 1.6 to 10.5 +/- 2.5 METs in 4 weeks after PTCA, and even elderly PTCA patients showed improvement from 6.0 +/- 1.1 to 10.3 +/- 2.5 METs. However, the exercise capacity of CABG patients improved only from 5.9 +/- 1.4 to 8.5 +/- 3.1 METs in the first 6 months after CABG, and from 5.9 +/- 1.7 to 10.0 +/- 3.6 METs thereafter. The 15 elderly CABG patients showed only slight increase of physical activity, from 6.0 +/- 1.7 to 6.9 +/- 1.9 METs in the first 6 months after CABG and from 6.3 +/- 1.9 to 8.7 +/- 2.9 METs thereafter. Furthermore, 6 of 15 elderly CABG patients showed no improved exercise capacity after CABG. There was no correlation between the duration of anginal symptoms before CABG and exercise capacity before or after CABG. These findings suggest that CABG itself and/or physical restriction during admission produces peripheral function maladaptation and may be the main contributors to deconditioning after CABG, especially in elderly patients. This deconditioning can be treated by a rehabilitation program after the discharge.     

Coronary artery surgery: conventional coronary artery bypass grafting versus off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Coronary revascularization has become the principal treatment modality in patients with severe coronary artery disease. The broader application of percutaneous coronary interventions in patients with multivessel disease and the recent introduction of drug-eluting stents have both lead to a decline in the number of patients referred for surgical revascularization. Conventional coronary artery bypass grafting using cardiopulmonary bypass is an excellent treatment, however less invasive surgical approaches such as off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting have appeared in the past few years. The exact role of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting is still vaguely defined and being critically evaluated. Our aim is to provide an objective review of the recent literature in regard to surgical outcomes. RECENT FINDINGS: A critical review of all relevant clinical series from May 2003 to May 2005 was conducted. Current prospective data suggests that both techniques have similar rates of mortality, in regard to morbidity, multiple prospective studies suggest a decrease in stroke rates for off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. The incidence of postoperative myocardial infarction does not appear to differ between techniques. When analyzed carefully, the results presented herein seem to indicate that both techniques provide similar rates for long-term patency and freedom from surgical reintervention. SUMMARY: Coronary artery bypass grafting and off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting are both safe and beneficial in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease. It appears that elderly patients with additional co-morbid risk factors may benefit most from off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. It has become increasingly apparent that off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting can be performed safely in reference centers.     

Does Totally Endoscopic Access for Off-pump Cardiac Surgery Influence the Incidence of Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting? A Preliminary Report

Background The occurrence rate of atrial fibrillation (AF) after coronary artery bypass grafting, quoted in the literature, is wide ranging from 5% to over 40%. It is speculated that, off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) and also minimally invasive cardiac surgery reduces the incidence of postoperative AF due to reduced trauma, ischemia, and inflammation. Current data, however, do not clearly answer the question, whether the incidence of postoperative AF is reduced in using minimally invasive techniques, ideally resulting in the combination of both small access and off-pump surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of postoperative AF in patients undergoing totally endoscopic off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (TECAB).Methods A retrospective analysis of 72 patients undergoing myocardial revascularization was performed. Early postoperative incidence of AF was compared between three groups of patients: 24 after conventional coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), 24 after OPCAB, and 24 after totally endoscopic off-pump CABG. Clinical profile of the patients, including factors having potential influence on postoperative AF was matched for groups.Results Postoperative AF occurred in 25% of the patients in the CABG group, in 16% of the patients in the OPCAB group, and in 16% of the patients in the TECAB group. This difference has no statistical significance. Risk factors and incidence of postoperative complications were comparable in all groups excepting the number of distal anastomoses. There was a statistical significance between CABG group and TECAB group.Conclusion Avoiding cardiopulmonary bypass and minimizing surgical trauma did not reduce the incidence of postoperative AF in this patient collective. It remains an attractive hypothesis that postoperative AF is reduced by off-pump myocardial revascularisation and minimizing surgical trauma but more robust data are required.     

Therapeutic approaches to postoperative ischemia

Previous attempts to identify predictors of cardiac complications, an important cause of postoperative morbidity and mortality following noncardiac surgery, have focused mainly on the patient's preoperative state. Our research group, however, has found that adverse cardiac outcome correlates most highly with the appearance of at least 1 ischemic episode determined by continuous ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring (AEM) in the early postoperative period. Such early postoperative ischemia conferred (1) a greater than 9-fold increased risk of experiencing in-hospital cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or postoperative unstable angina, and (2) a greater than 2-fold increased long-term (2-year) risk of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, or angina requiring coronary angioplasty or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Additionally, 5 predictors of such postoperative ischemia were identified: left ventricular hypertrophy, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, definite coronary artery disease, and preoperative digoxin use. These findings suggest that patients who are at high risk for postoperative myocardial ischemia warrant more intensive postoperative monitoring. Moreover, since such ischemia is potentially reversible, the testing of strategies designed to prevent or manage postoperative ischemia appears warranted and is discussed. Our group also has established the usefulness of AEM for identifying ischemic episodes in patients undergoing CABG. However, patients who require cardiopulmonary bypass present unique problems regarding the interpretation of AEM recordings. We describe guidelines for the interpretation of AEM results obtained under these conditions and suggest criteria based on the degree of interpretability for patient inclusion in future studies.     

Outcome and risk factors in octogenarians undergoing open-heart surgery

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Increasing numbers of elderly (aged > 80 years) patients are being referred for cardiac surgery, and results for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are generally better than for combined CABG and valve replacement. METHODS: During the past 55 months, 77 octogenarians underwent cardiac intervention in our institution. Forty-five patients (mean age 82.5 years) underwent CABG alone; surgery was elective in 33% of patients and 2.7 +/- 1.0 grafts per patient were performed. Thirty-two patients (mean age 82.4 years) underwent combined CABG and valve surgery (28 aortic, four mitral); 2.1 +/- 0.8 grafts per patient were performed and 65% of cases were emergencies. RESULTS: In patients undergoing CABG alone, the operative mortality rate was 2% and rose to 4% (n = 2) at the end of follow up. Mean NYHA functional class improved significantly from 3.5 +/- 0.5 to 1.4 +/- 0.3 after surgery (p < 0.05) and most patients reported marked improvement in their quality of life. In CABG + valve surgery patients, the operative mortality rate was 6% (n = 2) and reached 18% by the end of follow up. In these patients the complication rate was 24% and mean hospitalization stay 11.0 +/- 2.9 days, while mean NYHA functional class improved from 3.4 +/- 0.6 to 1.2 +/- 0.5. Data analysis revealed that mitral regurgitation combined with coronary artery disease (p < 0.03) and prolonged cross-clamping time (p < 0.01) were the most important independent factors for mortality. CONCLUSION: This study confirms that, in selected elderly patients, combined CABG and cardiac surgery can achieve good postoperative results.     

Outcomes of cardiac surgery in patients > or = 80 years: results from the National Cardiovascular Network

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate characteristics and outcomes of patients age > or =80 undergoing cardiac surgery. BACKGROUND: Prior single-institution series have found high mortality rates in octogenarians after cardiac surgery. However, the major preoperative risk factors in this age group have not been identified. In addition, the additive risks in the elderly of valve replacement surgery at the time of bypass are unknown. METHODS: We report in-hospital morbidity and mortality in 67,764 patients (4,743 octogenarians) undergoing cardiac surgery at 22 centers in the National Cardiovascular Network. We examine the predictors of in-hospital mortality in octogenarians compared with those predictors in younger patients. RESULTS: Octogenarians undergoing cardiac surgery had fewer comorbid illnesses but higher disease severity and surgical urgency than younger patients. Octogenarians had significantly higher in-hospital mortality after cardiac surgery than younger patients: coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) only (8.1% vs. 3.0%), CABG/aortic valve (10.1% vs. 7.9%), CABG/mitral valve (19.6% vs. 12.2%). In addition, they had twice the incidence of postoperative stroke and renal failure. The preoperative clinical factors predicting CABG mortality in the very elderly were quite similar to those for younger patients with age, emergency surgery and prior CABG being the powerful predictors of outcome in both age categories. Of note, elderly patients without significant comorbidity had in-hospital mortality rates of 4.2% after CABG, 7% after CABG with aortic valve replacement (CABG/AVR), and 18.2% after CABG with mitral valve replacement (CABG/MVR). CONCLUSIONS: Risks for octogenarians undergoing cardiac surgery are less than previously reported, especially for CABG only or CABG/AVR. In selected octogenarians without significant comorbidity, mortality approaches that seen in younger patients.     

Preservation of interventricular septal function in patients having coronary artery bypass grafts without cardiopulmonary bypass

Abnormal interventricular septal motion develops in the majority of patients after cardiac surgery and has been attributed to a variety of causes. This study assesses the role of cardiopulmonary (CP) bypass in the genesis of abnormal septal motion. Twenty-two patients having single coronary artery bypass grafts had septal motion and ejection fraction evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively. The results for 11 patients who had coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with CP were compared to those for 11 patients who had grafting without CP bypass. Postoperatively, all 11 patients having bypass grafting with CP bypass had diminution in septal function while 10 of 11 patients having bypass grafting performed without CP bypass had no change or improvement in septal motion (p < 0.0005). Changes in ejection fraction were not statistically significantly different. This study suggests that abnormal septal motion in patients having CABG is related to CP bypass and/or myocardial preservation techniques.     

Cerebral vascular accident after cardiac surgery: its impact on nursing care.

The number of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) per year is increasing. Despite advances in surgical techniques, cerebral vascular accident (CVA) post cardiac surgery is increasing. CVA is a severe neurological complication of cardiac surgery which increased length of stay, morbidity and mortality, and rehabilitation. It is important to identify patients at increased risk and utilize appropriate screening techniques to decrease the incidence of CVA. Nursing assessment, interventions, and postoperative neurological assessment is crucial in identifying patients at increased risk for CVA.     

心脏术后心房颤动的发生机制、危险因素及预防策略

心房颤动是心脏术后最常见的并发症之一。随着近年来心脏外科手术患者的高龄化及危险因素的增高,术后心房颤动的发生率在上升,据报道心房颤动发生率在冠状动脉旁路移植术后可高达30%,冠状动脉旁路移植联合瓣膜术为60%。心房颤动的发生通常会延长住院时间,并有发生栓塞的危险。因此有必要对这一围手术期的并发症给予更多的关注,了解其发生机制、危险因素及预防措施,以减少此并发症的发生。     

Good outcomes from cardiac surgery in the over 70s

OBJECTIVE: To determine the early mortality and major morbidity associated with cardiac surgery in the elderly. DESIGN: Retrospective case record review study of 575 patients >/= 70 years old who underwent cardiac surgery at the Manchester Heart Centre between January 1990 and December 1996. SETTING: Regional cardiothoracic centre. SUBJECTS: Patients >/= 70 years old who underwent cardiac surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Comparison of 30 day mortality and incidence of major morbidity between patients >/= 70 years old and patients < 70 years old. RESULTS: Of 4395 cardiac surgical operations, 575 operations (13.1%) were in patients aged >/= 70 years (mean (SD) 73.1 (3.2) years). The proportion of elderly patients rose progressively from 7.9% in 1990 to 16.5% in 1996. 334 patients (58.1%) had coronary artery bypass grafting alone, 91 patients (15.8%) had valve surgery alone, and 129 patients (22.4%) had combined valve surgery and bypass grafting. For isolated coronary artery bypass grafting, 30 day mortality in patients >/= 70 years was 3.9% compared with 1.3% in patients < 70 years (p < 0.001). 30 day mortality for isolated valve surgery in patients >/= 70 years was 7.7%. Isolated aortic valve replacement was the most common valvar procedure in patients >/= 70 years and carried the lowest mortality (4.3%). Additional coronary artery bypass grafting increased the mortality rate in patients >/= 70 years to 9.3% for all valve surgery and to 8.0% for aortic valve replacement. Major morbidity in patients >/= 70 years was low for all procedure types (stroke 1.9%, acute renal failure requiring dialysis 1.6%, perioperative myocardial infarction 0.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Early mortality and major morbidity is low for cardiac surgery in elderly patients. Concerns over the risk of cardiac surgery in the elderly should not prevent referral, and elderly patients usually do well. However, unconscious rationing of health care may affect referral patterns, and studies that assess the cost effectiveness of cardiac surgery versus conservative management in such patients are lacking.     

Utility of cardiac MRI in guiding revascularization therapy in unprotected left main stenosis: a case report

Decision to select unprotected left main (ULM) stenting versus coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABG) depends on a multiplicity of factors, one of the most critical of which is myocardial viability. Delayed enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging has emerged as a useful means of comprehensively evaluating viable myocardium in postmyocardial infarct patients who require further revascularization. We present a patient with ULM stenosis in whom CMR imaging assisted in the decision to perform percutaneous coronary intervention over CABG.     

冠状动脉多层螺旋CT成像及冠脉造影对冠脉搭桥术后桥血管的评价

目的观察冠状动脉多层螺旋CT成像及冠脉造影对冠脉搭桥手术后桥血管的评价作用。方法33例冠脉搭桥手术患者,术前常规冠脉造影检查,手术行不停跳冠脉搭桥术,手术后1 a行冠状动脉多层螺旋CT成像,并于冠状动脉多层螺旋CT成像复查后1周内行冠脉造影检查。结果33例患者共行冠脉搭桥101支,冠状动脉多层螺旋CT成像能够成功显示99支,显示率为98.02%。冠状动脉多层螺旋CT成像与冠脉造影结果对比,其对冠脉搭桥手术后桥血管狭窄和阻塞评价敏感度达100%。结论应用冠状动脉多层螺旋CT成像对冠脉搭桥术后桥血管评价简便、无创,具有较好的可信性和可行性。     

The Changing Face of Cardiac Surgery: Practice Patterns and Outcomes 2001-2010

Background

Advances in cardiac surgical care have allowed for successful surgery in high-risk elderly patients. Advances in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) techniques and expanded indications for PCI have resulted in a decrease in referrals for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Our objective was to document changes in practice patterns and outcomes in a single tertiary cardiac surgery centre serving a large geographic area.

Methods

For all cardiac surgery cases performed from 2001-2010 we examined its use, patient clinical characteristics, and outcomes. Frailty was assessed using a measure we have previously demonstrated to be associated with adverse outcomes.

Results

During the study period, annual case volume decreased by 13%. The number of isolated CABG cases declined, and valve surgery and other complex procedures increased. The proportion of patients aged ≥ 80 years rose from 7%-12%, and the proportion of frail patients increased from 4%-10%. Although unadjusted in-hospital mortality remained relatively unchanged, intensive care unit (ICU) stays and prolonged institutional care increased. Older age and frailty were associated with mortality, prolonged ICU stays, prolonged institutional care, and a composite of mortality and major morbidities.

Conclusions

Our findings showed a decline in CABG, an increase in more complex operations, and an increase in prolonged ICU stays and prolonged institutional care. The proportion of frail and elderly patients increased over time and these patient groups were at higher risk of adverse postoperative outcomes. Particular attention is required in the decision for surgery and perioperative management of these patients.     

人心房钠尿肽在患慢性肾病未经透析的患者冠状动脉移植术中的有效性

Chronic kidney disease （CKD） is most important risk factors for cardiac surgery. In this study, the subjects were patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting （CABG） with CKD. Not only the early postoperative results but also the renal function including long-term prognosis were examined     

Coronary artery bypass grafting is associated with a significant worsening of QT dynamicity and heart rate variability

BACKGROUND: Imbalance in autonomic nervous system and impaired myocardial repolarization has been shown to increase the risk for arrhythmias in patients with coronary artery disease. This study evaluated the effects of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) on heart rate variability and QT interval dynamicity in subjects with coronary artery disease undergoing elective CABG surgery. METHODS: The study group consisted of 68 consecutive patients (mean age +/-SD: 61 +/- 9 years) with coronary artery disease who underwent elective CABG. Twenty-four-hour Holter monitoring was performed 2-5 days before cardiac surgery and was repeated 10 days after CABG. ELATEC holter software was used to calculate heart rate variability and QT dynamicity parameters. All subjects had a complete history, laboratory examination and transthoracic echocardiography. RESULTS: All patients had beta-blocking agent medication pre- and postoperatively. Standard deviation of all NN intervals for a selected time period, square root of the mean of the sum of the squares of differences between adjacent RR intervals, the proportion of differences in successive NN intervals greater than 50 ms, normalized low-frequency power, and normalized high-frequency power were significantly decreased after CABG surgery, whereas low-frequency/high-frequency ratio was significantly increased after CABG. QT/RR slopes over 24 h were significantly increased after CABG surgery for QT end and QT apex (QTapex/RR: 0.16 +/- 0.13 vs. 0.28 +/- 0.19, p < 0.001; QTend/RR: 0.18 +/- 0.13 vs. 0.36 +/- 0.23, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This prospective study showed for the first time that CABG was associated with a significant worsening of heart rate variability and QT dynamicity parameters in the postoperative period.     

52例冠状动脉搭桥术临床随访分析

目的评价冠状动脉搭桥术对冠心病人近期及远期预后的影响。方法本院１９９４年５月～１９９８年５月期间行搭桥术１年以上的所有病人进行门诊及电话随访,了解其近期及远期临床症状、心功能状况及心性事件的发生率、存活率的变化,随访以死亡作为终点或截止至１９９９年５月底。随访率达１００％。随访时间１～５年,平均２．４年。结果５２例患全部顺利完成手术,术后早期并发症包括心包填塞并低排综合征２例,呼吸功能不全４例,     

A further word of caution before using the internal mammary artery for coronary revascularization in patients with severe peripheral vascular disease!

Objectives: To characterize the clinical and angiographic characteristics of patients with collateralization from the internal mammary artery to the iliac artery. Background: The use of the internal mammary arteries for coronary revascularization has become the standard of care in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). However, in patients with aortoiliac disease, the internal mammary arteries may become a major collateral route to the lower extremities. Methods: A case series of 15 patients admitted for diagnostic coronary angiography were retrospectively identified, who were observed to have collateral flow from one or both internal mammary artery(ies) to an occluded or stenotic iliac artery. Results: The mean age was 63.2 ± 11.2 years; eight were men (53.3%). Coronary angiography was done as a perioperative evaluation for peripheral vascular surgery in three patients (20%) and was done because of cardiac symptoms or a positive thallium scan in 12 (80%). The finding that the mammary artery collateralized the iliac artery led to major treatment changes in all patients, seven (46.6%) who required CABG. In five patients (33%), use of one or both internal mammary artery(ies) for coronary grafts was avoided. CABG was deferred in one patient, whereas in another, percutaneous intervention in both iliac arteries preceded CABG using both mammary arteries. There was no incidence of postoperative acute lower extremity ischemia. Conclusions: Selective angiographic visualization of the internal mammary artery is an essential part of the preoperative evaluation in patients with severe peripheral vascular disease undergoing CABG. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

48例高危冠心病体外循环辅助下不停跳冠状动脉搭桥术的临床分析

目的 探讨如何提高高危冠心病患者体外循环辅助下不停跳冠状动脉旁路移植术的手术疗效.方法 选择48例高危冠心病患者采用体外循环辅助下不停跳冠状动脉旁路移植术,男性32例,女性16例,对手术方法及围术期处理进行分析总结.结果 共搭桥127支,平均2.63支.使用完全静脉桥22例,全动脉化10例.平均体外循环辅助时间55 min.5例使用主动脉内球囊反搏(IABP).术后早期死亡3例(6.25％),分别为低心排综合征2例、多器官功能衰竭1例.结论 冠状动脉搭桥术是治疗高危冠心病的有效方法.术中尽量减少体外循环时间、合理的手术设计、术中良好的心肌保护、灵活地使用体外循环辅助、积极应用IABP是手术成功的关键.