Seminars in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
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Semin. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Jan 2019
Comparative StudyThe Clinical Significance of Cerebral Microbleeds in Infective Endocarditis Patients.
We assessed the clinical features of cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) and their association with clinical outcomes in active infective endocarditis patients. From January 2009 to June 2015, 132 active IE patients diagnosed per the modified Duke's criteria were retrospectively reviewed. Brain magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 102 patients, and 74 patients whose image data were available to assess CMBs were enrolled. ⋯ Cox regression analysis adjusting age and operative risk did not show that CMB was a significant risk factor for all-cause death and major adverse event. Patients with CMB were older than those without, and microbleeds were associated with antiplatelet therapy, staphylococcal infection, and prosthetic valve endocarditis. However, the mid-term clinical outcomes of patients with CMB and those without were comparable.
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Semin. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Jan 2019
Ninety-Day Readmissions of Bundled Valve Patients: Implications for Healthcare Policy.
Medicare's Bundle Payment for Care Improvement (BPCI) Model 2 groups reimbursement for valve surgery into 90-day episodes of care, which include operative costs, inpatient stay, physician fees, postacute care, and readmissions up to 90 days postprocedure. We analyzed our BPCI patients' 90-day outcomes to understand the late financial risks and implications of the bundle payment system for valve patients. All BPCI valve patients from October 2013 (start of risk-sharing phase) to December 2015 were included. ⋯ Bundled claims for a 90-day episode of care are significantly increased in patients with readmissions. TAVR patients represent a high-risk group for late readmission, possibly a reflection of their chronic disease processes. Being able to identify patients at highest risk for 90-day readmission and the associated claims will be valuable as we enter into risk-bearing episodes of care agreements with Medicare.
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Semin. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Jan 2019
Comparative StudyDifferential Effects of Normoxic and Hyperoxic Reperfusion on Global Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury.
The objectives were to investigate if after hypoxia or ischemia, normoxic reperfusion is associated with less oxidant stress (OS), inflammation, and myocardial injury than hyperoxic reperfusion. In this study, cardiomyocytes (H9c2 cells) were cultured in hypoxia, followed by reoxygenation in normoxia or hyperoxia. Cardiomyocyte OS, inflammation, and apoptosis were measured. ⋯ In contrast, LV +dP/dt was relatively well preserved under normoxic reperfusion conditions (to 70 ± 14% after 2-hour reperfusion), and was associated with an attenuated myocardial OS, inflammatory, apoptotic, and injury response compared to the hyperoxia group (eg, cTn-I: 5.9 ± 1.5 vs 20.2 ± 7.6 ng/mL, respectively, P < 0.0001). Overall, in both in vitro and in vivo experiments, normoxic reperfusion/reoxygenation was associated with less robust OS, inflammation, apoptosis, and myocardial injury compared with hyperoxic reperfusion/reoxygenation. These results suggest that hyperoxia should be avoided to minimize myocardial OS, inflammation, and ventricular dysfunction after CPB.
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Semin. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Jan 2019
ReviewSurgery for Acute Presentation of Thoracoabdominal Aortic Disease.
Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms are most commonly asymptomatic until there is either an impending aortic catastrophe or one that has already occurred. While open surgery remains the gold-standard method for repair, modern technology has led to the development of less invasive endovascular devices and techniques. We provide an expert review of open and endovascular therapies for 3 highly lethal thoracoabdominal aortic emergencies in order to highlight expectations for both short- and long-term outcomes in an era of evolving technology and improvements in patient evaluation and postoperative care. ⋯ Thoracic endovascular aortic repair is well-suited for the treatment of acute complicated type B aortic dissection with outcomes superior to open repair in some centers. Acute aortic events associated with thoracoabdominal aneurysms represent technically challenging situations that require rapid diagnosis and treatment to avoid a fatal outcome. Endovascular techniques have evolved as a viable alternative therapy for acute complicated type B aortic dissection or as a bridge to more definitive repair in the setting of infection or rupture.
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Semin. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Jan 2019
Comparative StudyTetralogy of Fallot in the Current Era.
Only few studies have reported long-term outcome of the transatrial-transpulmonary approach in the current era of management of tetralogy of Fallot (ToF). We investigated 15-year outcome of correction via a transatrial-transpulmonary approach in a large cohort of successive patients operated in the 21st century. All infant ToF patients undergoing transatrial-transpulmonary ToF correction between 2000 and 2015 were included (N = 177, 106 male, median follow-up 7.1 (interquartile range 3.0-10.9) years. ⋯ Overall mortality was 2.8%; mortality rates were higher in premature/dysmature newborns (0.7% vs 9.5%; P < 0.001). Although the 15-year outcome of the transatrial-transpulmonary approach in terms of postoperative complications and mortality rates is excellent, the high incidence of moderate and severe PR is worrisome. Valve-sparing surgery was associated with a substantially lower incidence of PR, yet was surgically not possible in the majority of patients.