Successful repair of graft failure and abdominal aortic aneurysm following thoraco-abdominal bypass for atypical aortic coarctation

A 54-year-old woman, who underwent descendo-abdominal aortic bypass grafting for atypical aortic coarctation complicated with Takayasu’s arteritis 37 years previously, was referred to our hospital for treatment of a pseudoaneurysm due to rupture of the graft. Preoperative computed tomography scan also demonstrated an abdominal aortic aneurysm. First, an endovascular stent-graft repair of the pseudoaneurysm was performed, then the abdominal aortic aneurysm was repaired with the aid of cardio-pulmonary bypass. Proper surgical planning was important to treat this rare development accompanied by aberrant circulation.     

Valve-sparing aortic root replacement in adult patients with congenital heart disease

 Open in a separate windowOBJECTIVESAortic root dilatation is frequently observed in patients with congenital heart defects (CHD), but has received little attention in terms of developing a best practice approach for treatment. In this study, we analysed our experience with aortic valve-sparing root replacement in patients following previous operations to repair CHD.METHODSIn this study, we included 7 patients with a history of previous surgery for CHD who underwent aortic valve-sparing operations. The underlying initial defects were tetralogy of Fallot (n = 3), transposition of great arteries (n = 2), coarctation of the aorta (n = 1), and pulmonary atresia with ventricle septum defect (n = 1). The patients’ age ranged from 20 to 40 years (mean age 31 ± 6 years).RESULTSDavid reimplantation was performed in 6 patients and a Yacoub remodelling procedure was performed in 1 patient. Four patients underwent simultaneous pulmonary valve replacement. The mean interval between the corrective procedure for CHD and the aortic valve-sparing surgery was 26 ± 3 years. There was no operative or late mortality. The patient with transposition of great arteries following an arterial switch operation was re-operated 25 months after the valve-sparing procedure due to severe aortic regurgitation. In all other patients, the aortic valve regurgitation was mild or negligible at the latest follow-up (mean 8.7 years, range 2.1–15.1 years).CONCLUSIONSValve-sparing aortic root replacement resulted in good aortic valve function during the first decade of observation in 6 of 7 patients. This approach can offer a viable alternative to root replacement with mechanical or biological prostheses in selected patients following CHD repair.     

Total and subtotal aortic replacement for extensive aortic dissection in patients with or without Marfan’s syndrome

OBJECTIVES: Extensive aortic dissection with multiple entries often found in Marfan's syndrome patients ultimately requires replacement of the whole aorta. We present a surgical strategy and results for total and subtotal aortic replacement. METHODS: Subjects were 18 patients, including 14 Marfan's patients undergoing total (n = 13) or subtotal (excluding aortic arch) aortic replacement (n = 5), for DeBakey type I aortic dissection (n = 13) and DeBakey type IIIb aortic dissection with annuloaortic ectasia (n = 5) between February 1991 and April 2001. Mean age was 39.9 +/- 0.8 years--34.9 +/- 6.6 years in Marfan's patients vs. 57.7 +/- 4.7 years in non-Marfan patients. All operations were staged, with the mean number required per patient 3.1 +/- 0.8. RESULTS: Early mortality was 0% and late mortality 11% (2 of 18). Paraplegia or paraparesis occurring in 11%. Except for these patients, all current survivors enjoy good quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Total and subtotal aortic replacement for extensive aortic dissection may decrease mortality due to rupture or associated disease.     

Aortic root replacement for prosthetic aortic valve detachment without regurgitation and with englarged Valsalva’s sinuses and complete atrioventricular block caused by Takayasu’s aortitis

We replaced the aortic root in a 43-year-old woman with Takayasu’s aortitis associated with prosthetic aortic valve detachment. The patient’s aortic valve had been replaced when she was 31 years old with a mechanical prosthesis to treat aortic regurgitation. Though C-reactive protein was kept almost normal with prednisolone, complete atrioventricular block suddenly appeared 12 years after the first operation. After the implantation of an artificial pacemaker, we closely followed up aortic root status. Aortography and echocardiography showed that the valve moved up and down, probably due to enlargement of the simuses of Valsalva, without perivalvular leakage. We removed the prosthetic aortic valve, which was partially detached from the aortic valve ring at the right-and non-coronary cusps and successfully replaced the aortic root with a mechanical prosthesis inserted into a 26 mm woven graft. Although the postoperative course was uneventful, we closely continue to observe the case and to administer of antiinflammatory medication.     

Aortic root replacement with cryopreserved homograft for infective endocarditis in the modern North American opioid epidemic

Objective

To study mid-term survival in patients with infective endocarditis as a result of IV drug use undergoing aortic root replacement with cryopreserved aortic homograft.

Aortic root replacement with a stentless bioprosthesis in a patient with giant cell arteritis

A 66-year-old woman was diagnosed with severe aortic regurgitation. Blood studies constantly showed positive C-reactive protein. Aortic valve replacement using a mechanical valve, was carried out. Four months after the operation, echocardiogram showed aortic regurgitation due to paravalvular leakage. Reoperation was performed using a stentless aortic root bioprosthesis. The pathological specimen from the aortic wall was consistent with giant cell arteritis. The patient was treated with prednisone with dramatic improvement of systemic symptoms.     

Concomitant David’s operation and total arch replacement for acute type A aortic dissection

A 61-year-old man complained of chest pain and developed congestive heart failure due to massive acute aortic regurgitation. Computed tomographic scan demonstrated Stanford type A aortic dissection from the aortic root to common iliac arteries. David’s aortic valve sparing operation and total aortic arch replacement were applied to the patient, because the aortic dissection was extended into two aortic commissures and all arch vessels, though the tear was present at the proximal ascending aorta. The surgery was well tolerated without any significant complication.     

Factors affecting surgical risk in elderly patients with inflammatory bowel disease

The operative treatment of elderly patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has often been avoided in favor of medical management because of a perceived increase in surgical risk. This study sought to define the following in the elderly IBD patient population: (1) the risk of surgical management and (2) those factors affecting risk. Thirty patients with IBD, aged 60 years or more, who were surgically managed by a single surgeon over a 10-year period, were retrospectively matched to 75 patients with IBD who were less than 60 years of age; patients were matched according to sex, date of surgery, and type of surgery performed. Regression analysis using generalized estimating equation methodology to account for the matched clusters of patients was performed to evaluate the effect of age group on the complication rate, operating room time, and length of hospital stay. Presence of comorbid conditions, surgical indications, prior surgery for IBD, and the use of immunosuppressive medications were studied in multivariate models, adjusting for age group. By means of univariate analysis, the odds of complications in elderly IBD patients were shown to be statistically higher than the odds seen in younger patients (47% vs. 20%, P= 0.01). Also observed in the elderly group were a longer length of hospital stay (11.5 days vs. 7.1 days, P = 0.001) and longer operating room time (249 minutes vs. 212 minutes, P= 0.02). Multivariate analysis revealed that the effect of age remained statistically significant, even when adjusted for potential confounding variables such as comorbidity, medications, date of diagnosis of IBD, and indications for surgery. The complication outcome was significantly associated with the surgical indication, with obstruction, fistula, and bleeding having increased odds of complications as compared with other indications (odds ratio = 1.7 vs. 4.2 vs. 7.2, respectively, P= 0.02). The length of hospital stay similarly was significantly associated with the surgical indication (fistula, 10.5 days vs. bleeding, 9.8 days vs. obstruction, 7.4 days vs. other, 9.3 days; P= 0.04) and a history of prior surgery. A significant interaction for length of hospital stay was present between age group and prior surgery status (with prior surgery: old, 18 days vs. young, 6.4 days, P= 0.0001; without prior surgery: old, 9.5 days vs. young 7.3 days, P= 0.10). Elderly patients with IBD have an increased rate of postoperative complications along with an increased length of hospital stay and increased operating room time. This effect of age persists when adjusted for comorbidity and immuno-suppressive therapy. Complications are most dependent on surgical indications, with obstruction being the least and bleeding the worst predictive factors. The longest hospital stay is associated with patients who require surgery for fistulous disease and patients who have undergone previous surgery. The fact that the higher complication rate seen in older patients with IBD is associated with disease-defined surgical indications suggests that IBD in elderly patients may be more aggressive than what is observed in younger individuals.     

Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting in a patient with beh?et’s disease

We report the case of a 58-year-old man with Beh?et’s disease who developed chest pain. Coronary angiography showed severe triple-vessel disease, and the patient was transferred to our department for urgent coronary artery bypass grafting. Because of the risk of anastomotic leakage or pseudoaneurysm formation, we performed off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting with the aortic no-touch technique. Postoperative coronary angiography showed that all the grafts were patent and no anastomotic pseudo-aneurysms were observed. Pathological examination of the right internal thoracic artery specimen revealed mild intimal thickening and disruption of elastic fibers in the medial layer, both of which are characteristics of Beh?et’s disease. These findings indicated that the patient must be monitored carefully for postoperative pseudoaneurysm formation.     

Short-term result of aortic valve replacement with cryopreserved homograft valve in the University of Tokyo Tissue Bank

The short-term results after aortic root replacement with 11 cryopreserved aortic homografts was examined. Since 1998, the University of Tokyo Tissue Bank has supplied 11 aortic homograft valves. Nine of the recipients were male, and the average age was 51.2 years. Nine out of 11 patients had suffered from a serious condition of native or prosthetic valve infectious endocarditis. All of the patients underwent aortic root replacement, and the blood type between the patient and the homograft was matched in 8 of the patients. Only 1 patient died (9.1%) in the short-term due to sepsis. The preoperative degree of aortic valve regurgitation in all of the cases was third or fourth while the regurgitation disappeared after the operation in all of them. Thinking of the serious condition of our cases preoperatively, the 9.1% operative mortality was quite acceptable. Long-term follow-up is necessary to estimate the quality of the homografts.     

Intestinal Perforations in Behçet’s Disease

Behçet’s disease accompanied by intestinal involvement is called intestinal Behçet’s disease. The intestinal ulcers of Behçet’s disease are usually multiple and scattered and tend to perforate easily, so that many patients require emergency operation. The aim of this study is to determine the extent of surgical resection necessary to prevent reperforation and to point out the findings of concurrent oral and genital ulcers and multiple intestinal perforations in all patients of our series. During a 25-year study period, information of 125 Behçet’s disease cases was gathered. Among the 82 patients who were diagnosed with intestinal Behçet’s disease, 22 cases had intestinal perforations needing emergency laparotomy. We investigated and analyzed these cases according to the patients’ demographic characteristics, clinical presentations, laboratory data, and surgical outcome. There were 14 men and 8 women ranging from 22 to 65 years of age. Nine cases were diagnosed preoperatively, and the diagnoses were confirmed in all 22 cases during the surgical intervention. Surgical resection was performed in every patient, with right hemicolectomy and ileocecal resection in 11 cases, partial ileum resection in 8 cases with two reperforations, and ileocecal resection in 3 cases with one reperforation.     

Chronic kidney disease stage stratifies short- and long-term outcomes after aortic root replacement

OBJECTIVESChronic kidney disease (CKD) is prevalent in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery, and it negatively impacts procedural outcomes; however, its influence on the outcomes of aortic surgery has not been well studied. This study aims to elucidate the importance of CKD on the outcomes of aortic root replacement (ARR).Open in a separate windowMETHODSPatients who underwent ARR between 2005 and 2019 were retrospectively reviewed (n = 882). Patients were divided into 3 groups based on the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes criteria: Group 1 [estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥ 60 ml/min/1.73 m², n = 421); Group 2 (eGFR = 30–59 ml/min/1.73 m², n = 424); and Group 3 (eGFR < 30 ml/min/1.73 m², n = 37). To reduce potential confounding, a propensity score matching was also performed between Group 1 and the combined group of Group 2 and Group 3. The primary end point was 10-year survival. Secondary end points were in-hospital mortality and perioperative morbidity.RESULTSSevere CKD patients presented with more advanced overall chronic and acute illnesses. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed a significant correlation between CKD stage and 10-year survival (log-rank P < 0.001). The number of events for Group 1 was 15, Group 2 was 49 and Group 3 was 11 in 10 years. Group 3 had significantly higher in-hospital mortality (13.5% vs 3.5% in Group 2 vs 0.7% in Group 1, P < 0.001) and stroke (8.1% vs 7.1% vs 1.2%, P < 0.001) as well as introduction to new dialysis (27.0% vs 5.4% vs 1.7%, P < 0.001). eGFR was shown to be an independent predictor of mortality (hazard ratio, 0.98; 95% confidence interval, 0.96–0.99). Comparison between propensity matched groups showed similar postoperative outcomes, and eGFR was still identified as a predictor of mortality (hazard ratio, 0.97; 95% confidence interval, 0.95–0.99).CONCLUSIONSHigher stage in CKD negatively impacts the long-term survival in patients who are undergoing ARR.     

Early and midterm outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve replacement in patients with bicuspid aortic valves

Background

Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) stenosis has been considered a relative contraindication to transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). We compared the outcomes of TAVR in patients with BAV stenosis versus patients with trileaflet aortic valve stenosis.

Methods

From March 2012 to September 2017, 727 patients underwent TAVR. Thirty‐two patients with BAV were included in this study and compared to 96 patients with comparable risk factors (1:3) with a trileaflet aortic valve (TAV). Transesophageal echocardiography was used to estimate post‐TAVR degree of paravalvular leak (PVL).

Results

Mean ± standard deviation Society of Thoracic Surgeons risk was 6.01 ± 3.42 in the BAV group and 6.08 ± 3.76 in the TAV group (P = 0.92). Thirty‐day mortality was 4.2% (N = 4) in the TAV group and 6.25% (N = 2) in the BAV group (P = 0.63). Three (3.1%) patients in the TAV group and two (6.25%) patients in the BAV group developed a post operative stroke (P = 0.59). Following TAVR, mean aortic valve gradient significantly decreased in both TAV (42.56 ± 14.93 vs 9.27 ± 5.57, P < 0.001) and BAV (44.12 ± 11.82 vs 9.03 ± 7.29, P < 0.001) groups. No patient had a severe PVL after TAVR, and only two (2.08%) patients in the TAV group and one (3.12%) patient in the BAV group had moderate PVL (P = 1.0). Patient survival rate at 1 and 2 years was 86% in the BAV group and 90% at 1 and 2 years in the TAV group (P = 0.74).

Conclusions

TAVR in BAV disease is feasible with favorable valve performance. Immediate and mid‐term outcomes of TAVR in patients with BAV are comparable to those with TAV.     

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement in obese patients: procedural vascular complications with the trans-femoral and trans-carotid access routes

Open in a separate window OBJECTIVESObesity may increase the risk of vascular complications in transfemoral (TF) transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures. The transcarotid (TC) approach has recently emerged as an alternative access in TAVR. We sought to compare vascular complications and early clinical outcomes in obese patients undergoing TAVR either by TF or TC vascular access.METHODSMulticentre registry including obese patients undergoing TF- or TC-TAVR in 15 tertiary centres. All patients received newer-generation transcatheter heart valves. For patients exhibiting unfavourable ileo-femoral anatomic characteristics, the TC approach was favoured in 3 centres with experience with it. A propensity score analysis was performed for overcoming unbalanced baseline covariates. The primary end point was the occurrence of in-hospital vascular complications (Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 criteria).RESULTSA total of 539 patients were included, 454 (84.2%) and 85 (15.8%) had a TF and TC access, respectively. In the propensity-adjusted cohort (TF: 442 patients; TC: 85 patients), both baseline and procedural valve-related characteristics were well-balanced between groups. A significant decrease in vascular complications was observed in the TC group (3.5% vs 12% in the TF group, odds ratio: 0.26, 95% CI: 0.07–0.95, P = 0.037). There were no statistically significant differences between groups regarding in-hospital mortality (TC: 2.8%, TF: 1.5%), stroke (TC: 1.2%, TF: 0.4%) and life-threatening/major bleeding events (TC: 2.8%, TF: 3.8%).CONCLUSIONSIn patients with obesity undergoing TAVR with newer-generation devices, the TC access was associated with a lower rate of vascular complications. Larger randomized studies are warranted to further assess the better approach for TAVR in obese patients.     

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement in patients with anomalous left circumflex coronary artery

The anomalous left circumflex artery can be a risk for coronary stenosis or obstruction during transcatheter aortic valve replacement; however, the best procedural management has not been clarified. We describe three patients with severe aortic valve stenosis as well as anomalous left circumflex artery. In the first patient, a coronary guidewire with balloon was placed before deploying a SAPIEN 3 transcatheter heart valve, as protection from the coronary occlusion or stenosis. For the second and third patients, no coronary protection was used. All procedures were completed safely and no complications were detected at one‐year follow‐up.     

Impact of aortic root repair or replacement in severe destructive aortic valve endocarditis with paravalvular abscesses on long-term survival

 Open in a separate windowOBJECTIVESSurgical treatment of destructive infective endocarditis consists of extensive debridement followed by root repair or replacement. However, it remains unknown whether 1 is superior to the other. We aimed to analyse whether long-term results were better after root repair or replacement in patients with root endocarditis.METHODSA total of 148 consecutive patients with root endocarditis treated with surgery from 1997 to 2020 at our department were included. Patients were divided into 2 groups: aortic root repair (n = 85) or root replacement using xenografts or homografts (n = 63).RESULTSPatients receiving aortic root repair showed significantly better long-term survival compared to patients receiving aortic root replacement (log-rank: P = 0.037). There was no difference in terms of freedom from valvular reoperations among both treatment groups (log-rank: P = 0.58). Patients with aortic root repair showed higher freedom from recurrent endocarditis compared to patients with aortic root replacement (log-rank: P = 0.022). Patients with aortic root repair exhibited higher event-free survival (defined as a combination end point of freedom from death, valvular reoperation or recurrent endocarditis) compared to patients receiving aortic root replacement (log-rank: P = 0.022). Age increased the risk of mortality with 1.7% per year. Multi-variable adjusted statistical analysis revealed improved long-term event-free survival after aortic root repair (hazards ratio: 0.57, 95% confidence interval: 0.39–0.95; P = 0.031).CONCLUSIONSAortic root repair and replacement are feasible options for the surgical treatment of root endocarditis and are complementary methods, depending on the extent of infection. Patients with less advanced infection have a more favourable prognosis.Clinical trial registrationUN4232 382/3.1 (retrospective study).     

Outcomes after mechanical aortic valve replacement in children and young adults with congenital heart disease

Objectives

There are little recent data on the outcomes of mechanical aortic valve replacement (AVR) in children and young adults with congenital aortic valve disease. We sought to review the survival and associated thromboembolic or bleeding complications after mechanical AVR at a single center.