Coronary Revascularization Induces a Shift From Cardiac Toward Noncardiac Mortality Without Improving Survival in Vascular Surgery Patient

OBJECTIVE: Although evidence has shown that ischemic heart disease (IHD) in vascular surgery patients has a negative impact on the prognosis after surgery, it is unclear whether directed treatment of IHD may influence cause-specific and overall mortality. The objective of this study was to determine the prognostic implication of coronary revascularization (CR) on overall and cause-specific mortality in vascular surgery patients. METHODS: Patients undergoing surgery for abdominal aortic aneurysm, carotid artery stenosis, or peripheral artery disease in a university hospital in The Netherlands between January 2003 and December 2011 were retrospectively included. Survival estimates were obtained by Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 1104 patients were included. Adjusted survival analyses showed that IHD significantly increased the risk of overall mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 1.50; 95% confidence interval, 1.21-1.87) and cardiovascular death (HR, 1.93; 95% confidence interval, 1.35-2.76). Compared with those without CR, patients previously undergoing CR had similar overall mortality (HR, 1.38 vs 1.62; P = .274) and cardiovascular mortality (HR, 1.83 vs 2.02; P = .656). Nonrevascularized IHD patients were more likely to die of IHD (6.9% vs 35.7%), whereas revascularized IHD patients more frequently died of cardiovascular causes unrelated to IHD (39.1% vs 64.3%; P = .018). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the significance of IHD for postoperative survival of vascular surgery patients. CR was associated with lower IHD-related death rates. However, it failed to provide an overall survival benefit because of an increased rate of cardiovascular mortality unrelated to IHD. Intensification of secondary prevention regimens may be required to prevent this shift toward non-IHD-related death and thereby improve life expectancy.

Acute Bivalvular Left-Sided Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Endocarditis with Cardiac, Cerebral, Renal and Septic Complications

Infective endocarditis (IE) is now rare in developed countries, but its prevalence is higher in elderly patients with prosthetic valves, diabetes, renal impairment, or heart failure. An increase in health-care associated IE (HCAIE) has been observed due to invasive maneuvers (30% of cases). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Enterococcus are the most common agents in HCAIE, causing high mortality and morbidity. We review complications of IE and its therapy, based on a patient with acute bivalvular left-sided MRSA IE and a prosthetic aortic valve, aggravated by congestive heart failure, stroke, acute immune complex glomerulonephritis, Candida parapsilosis fungémia and death probably due to Serratia marcescens sepsis. The HCAIE was assumed to be related to three temporally associated in-hospital interventions considered as possible initial etiological mechanisms: overcrowding in the hospital environment,iv quinolone therapy and red blood cell transfusion. Later in the clinical course,C. parapsilosis and S. marcescens septicemia were considered to be possible secondary etiological mechanisms of HCAIE.

The Proarrhythmic Effect of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: an Issue that Should Be Borne in Mind

The demonstrated benefits of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in reducing mortality and hospitalizations for heart failure, improving NYHA functional class and inducing reverse remodeling have led to its increasing use in clinical practice. However, its potential contribution to complex ventricular arrhythmias is controversial.We present the case of a female patient with valvular heart failure and severe systolic dysfunction, in NYHA class III and under optimal medical therapy, without previous documented ventricular arrhythmias. After implantation of a CRT defibrillator, she suffered an arrhythmic storm with multiple episodes of monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT), requiring 12 shocks. Subsequently, a pattern of ventricular bigeminy was observed, as well as reproducible VT runs induced by biventricular pacing. Since no other vein of the coronary sinus system was accessible, it was decided to implant an epicardial lead to stimulate the left ventricle, positioned in the left ventricular mid-lateral wall. No arrhythmias were detected in the following six months. This case highlights the possible proarrhythmic effect of biventricular pacing with a left ventricular lead positioned in the coronary sinus venous system.

Acute Kidney Injury after Pediatric Cardiac Surgery: Risk Factors and Outcomes. Proposal for a Predictive Model

Objectives: To characterize the epidemiology and risk factors for acute kidney injury (AKI) after pediatric cardiac surgery in our center, to determine its association with poor short-term outcomes, and to develop a logistic regression model that will predict the risk of AKI for the study population. Methods: This single-center, retrospective study included consecutive pediatric patients with congenital heart disease who underwent cardiac surgery between January 2010 and December 2012. Exclusion criteria were a history of renal disease, dialysis or renal transplantation. Results: Of the 325 patients included, median age three years (1 day---18 years), AKI occurred in 40 (12.3%) on the first postoperative day. Overall mortality was 13 (4%), nine of whom were in the AKI group. AKI was significantly associated with length of intensive care unit stay, length of mechanical ventilation and in-hospital death (p<0.01). Patients’ age and postoperative serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and lactate levels were included in the logistic regression model as predictor variables. The model accurately predicted AKI in this population, with a maximum combined sensitivity of 82.1% and specificity of 75.4%. Conclusions: AKI is common and is associated with poor short-term outcomes in this setting. Younger age and higher postoperative serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and lactate levels were powerful predictors of renal injury in this population. The proposed model could be a useful tool for risk stratification of these patients.

Infective Endocarditis Complicated by Large Aortic Pseudoaneurysm after Cardiac Surgery

A 66-year-old female with Streptococcus viridans aortic and tricuspid infective endocarditis develops, during the course of antibiotic therapy, rupture of a right coronary sinus of Valsalva aneurysm to the right ventricle. An urgent cardiac surgery is preformed with implantation of a mechanical aortic prosthesis and a right coronary sinus plasty. Six months later a huge aortic pseudoaneurysm is diagnosed and she is submitted to a second uneventful surgery. A review is done for the significant features with discussion of diagnosis and therapy.

The Prognostic Impact of Renal Failure in Patients with ST-Segment Elevation Acute Myocardial Infarction

INTRODUCTION: Renal insufficiency (RI) is associated with higher morbidity and mortality in patients (P) with coronary artery disease and in P submitted to angioplasty. In ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEAMI), this impact has not been well demonstrated. AIM: To evaluate the impact of RI in P with STEAMI. METHODS: We evaluated 160 P admitted with STEAMI, mean age of 62+/-14 years, 76% male. We determined creatinine levels on admission. RI was defined as a level >1.5 mg/dl. Analysis of clinical, electrocardiographic and laboratory variables was performed, in relation to the endpoint defined as the occurrence of death at 30-day follow-up. RESULTS: There were 16 deaths (10%) at 30-day follow-up. P with RI (n=21) were older (68+/-11 vs 61+/-14 years, p<0.001), more often had diabetes (57 vs 24 %, p=0.004) and presented more often with Killip class > or =2 (57 vs 12%, p<0.001). The use of statins (62 vs 83%, p=0.05) and beta-blockers (24 vs 65%, p<0.001) was lower in P with RI. Mortality was higher in RI P (62 vs 2%, p<0.001). The univariate predictors of death were age > or =75 years, diabetes, Killip class > or =2 on admission, RI, non-use of statins and beta-blockers and use of diuretics. In multivariate analysis, independent predictors of death at 30 days were RI (HR 29.6, 95% CI 6.3-139.9, p<0.001) and non-use of beta-blockers (HR 0.13, 95% CI 0.02-1.01, p=0.01). CONCLUSION: In P admitted for STEAMI, the presence of RI was an independent predictor of death at 30 days whereas the usage of beta-blockers was protective.

Cardiac Hydatid Cyst in a Child

Cardiac hydatid cyst is a rare disease, especially in children. An 11-year-old boy with a previous anaphylactic reaction and episodes of abdominal pain was admitted for workup of an acquired long systolic murmur. Echocardiographic investigation disclosed a tumor of the right ventricular anterior wall, with multiple loculations. Magnetic resonance imaging characterized it as a multilobular tumor with cyst formation and disclosed another cyst in the right pulmonary artery. With a positive ELISA reaction the child was admitted for surgery with the diagnosis of cardiac and pulmonary hydatid cysts. Cardiac surgery was performed with good results, followed by medical treatment with albendazole.

Encerramento Percutâneo de Shunts Interauriculares: Experiência de uma Década de um Centro Terciário

INTRODUCTION: Atrial septal defects (ASD) are among the most common congenital anomalies and account for 10% of congenital heart disease in the pediatric age-group and 30% in adults. Closure is indicated when there is evidence of hemodynamic significance or after a paradoxical embolic event. Ten years ago, percutaneous closure became the treatment of choice in our center for all patients with a clear indication and favorable anatomy. In this paper we report the experience of this first decade. OBJECTIVE: To assess the short- and long-term results of our ten-year experience with percutaneous closure of atrial septal defects. METHODS: We studied retrospectively all patients with ASD treated with a percutaneous approach between November 1998 and December 2008. The pediatric age-group consisted of patients younger than 19 years old. Demographic data, clinical indications, minor and major complication rates, success rate and long-term outcome were assessed. RESULTS: In the first ten years of experience 510 patients, of whom 166 were in the pediatric group, were treated in our center by a team of adult and pediatric cardiologists. The overall success rate of the procedure was 98% (97.5% in ASD and 99.5% in patent foramen ovale (PFO). The minor complication rate was 3% (3.4% in ASD and 2% in PFO). The most frequent complication was supraventricular tachycardia. The major complication rate was 1.2% (0.6% in ASD and 2% in PFO). Two patients developed cardiac tamponade due to hemopericardium that was resolved by pericardiocentesis, without need for surgery. One patient had an arterial pseudoaneurysm corrected by vascular surgery. There was no device embolization and no need for urgent surgery in this population. During follow-up two patients had recurrence of ischemic stroke, one had a transient ischemic attack and another had a hemorrhagic stroke. Mortality was 0.6% (0.6% in ASD and 0.5% in PFO). There were no in-hospital deaths. During follow-up there were two deaths, both in the adult group. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: In this population the success rate was high and most of the complications were minor. The results of this collaboration between adult and pediatric cardiologists in the first ten years of activity confirm the safety and efficacy of percutaneous closure of septal defects, when there is careful patient selection and a standardized technique.

Cardiologia Pré-Natal. Da Suspeita à Confirmação

The mortality rate is high and prognosis is worse among new-borns with prenatal diagnosis of heart malformation, mainly due to factors such as its association with other malformations, and a range of more severe diseases probably resulting from the predominance of the obstetric use of the four chamber view. In this study we retrospectively assessed the range of cardiopathies diagnosed by foetal echocardiography and their evolution, compared with previous years. From January 1994 to December 1995, 1173 foetal echocardiograms were performed at a gestation age of 24 weeks. Sixty-one foetuses (5.2%) had cardiac anomalies, structural in 56 and arrhythmia in 5. The risks and indications were maternal in 37%, foetal in 31%, familial in 17% and environmental in 15%. Three were false negatives (VSD:2; truncus arteriosus: 1). Five died in utero, and 18 were assessed after birth with a mean gestational age of 37 weeks and birth weight of 3 Kg, a caesarean section was performed in 9. All but one were born in central hospitals. Six children were operated on. Two children died, one after surgery. Compared with the four previous years of activity, indication due to foetal risk rose from 6 to 31%, the number of cases diagnosed with heart disease increased from 14 to 30 per year, and the mortality decreased from 59 to 11%. Despite this, we still observe that the vast majority of new-borns who are hospitalised due to a severe heart disease had no prenatal diagnosis, indicating the need to continue our educational policy in this field.

Risk of Surgery for Congenital Heart Disease in the Adult: a Multicentered European Study

BACKGROUND: Surgery for congenital heart disease (CHD) has changed considerably during the last three decades. The results of primary repair have steadily improved, to allow treating almost all patients within the pediatric age; nonetheless an increasing population of adult patients requires surgical treatment. The objective of this study is to present the early surgical results of patients who require surgery for CHD in the adult population within a multicentered European study population. METHODS: Data relative to the hospital course of 2,012 adult patients (age > or = 18 years) who required surgical treatment for CHD from January 1, 1997 through December 31, 2004 were reviewed. Nineteen cardiothoracic centers from 13 European countries contributed to the data collection. RESULTS: Mean age at surgery was 34.4 +/- 14.53 years. Most of the operations were corrective procedures (1,509 patients, 75%), followed by reoperations (464 patients, 23.1%) and palliative procedures (39 patients, 1.9%). Six hundred forty-nine patients (32.2%) required surgical closure of an isolated ostium secundum atrial septal defect. Overall hospital mortality was 2%. Preoperative cyanosis, arrhythmias, and NYHA class III-IV, proved significant risk factors for hospital mortality. Follow-up data were available in 1,342 of 1,972 patients (68%) who were discharged home. Late deaths occurred in 6 patients (0.5%). Overall survival probability was 97% at 60 months, which is higher for corrective procedures (98.2%) if compared with reoperations (94.1%) and palliations (86.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treatment of CHD in adult patients, in specialized cardiac units, proved quite safe, beneficial, and low-risk.

O Valor Prognóstico da Resposta Neutrofílica na Era da Reperfusão Mecânica do Enfarte Agudo do Miocárdico

BACKGROUND: In ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients treated with primary angioplasty, neutrophil response and its prognostic significance are not entirely understood. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 305 consecutive and non-selected STEMI patients. They were divided into three groups according to the maximum neutrophil percentage in the first 48 hours. We compared baseline demographic characteristics, coronary disease risk factors, cardiac history, clinical presentation, therapeutics administered and clinical evolution. We then assessed survival in the three groups and determined predictors of 30-day mortality. Group 1 (G1) had a mean age of 57 +/- 14 years and showed mean neutrophilia of 73.3%, Group 2 (G2) 61 +/- 13 years and 79.9%, and Group 3 (G3) 66 +/- 13 years and 84.2%. We compared outcomes and 30-day mortality between the groups. RESULTS: Mean age rose with increased neutrophil response. There were no statistically significant baseline differences between the groups except for more smokers in Groups 1 and 2, and more patients presenting with Killip class > or = 2 and fewer with uncomplicated evolution in Group 3. During 30-day follow-up there were 19 deaths (G1=1, G2=3 and G3=15). In univariate analysis mortality predictors were age > or = 75 years, anterior STEMI, maximum creatinine kinase > or = 2500 UI/L, culprit lesion in proximal anterior descending artery, incomplete revascularization, Killip > or = 2 at presentation, and being in G3. After multivariate regression analysis independent predictors were age > or = 75 years, incomplete revascularization and being in G3. CONCLUSION: In myocardial infarction patients undergoing mechanical revascularization, an intense neutrophil response (routinely, easily and inexpensively assessed) is related to worse short-term prognosis.

Impacto da Obesidade nos Resultados após Angioplastia Primária em Doentes com Enfarte Agudo do Miocárdio com Elevação do Segmento ST

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is an important risk factor for the development of diabetes, hypertension, coronary disease, left ventricular dysfunction, stroke and cardiac arrhythmias. Paradoxically, previous studies in patients undergoing elective coronary angioplasty showed a reduction in hospital and long-term mortality in obese patients. The relation with body mass index (BMI) has been less studied in the context of primary angioplasty. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of obesity on the results of ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction treated by primary angioplasty. METHODS: This was a study of 464 consecutive patients with ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction undergoing primary angioplasty, 78% male, mean age 61 +/- 13 years. We assessed in-hospital, 30-day and one-year mortality according to BMI. Patients were divided into three groups according to BMI: normal--18-24.9 kg/m2 (n = 171); overweight--25-29.9 kg/m2 (n = 204); and obese-- > 30 kg/m2 (n = 89). RESULTS: Obese patients were younger (ANOVA, p < 0.001) and more frequently male (p = 0.014), with more hypertension (p = 0.001) and dyslipidemia (p = 0.006). There were no differences in the prevalence of diabetes, previous cardiac history, heart failure on admission, anterior location, multivessel disease, peak total CK or medication prescribed, except that obese patients received more beta-blockers (p = 0.049). In-hospital mortality was 9.9% for patients with normal BMI, 3.4% for overweight patients and 6.7% for obese patients (p = 0.038). Mortality at 30 days was 11 4.4% and 7.8% (p = 0.032) and at one year 12.9%, 4.9% and 9% (p = 0.023), respectively. On univariate analysis, overweight was the only BMI category with a protective effect; however, after multivariate logistic regression analysis, adjusted for confounding variables, none of the BMI categories could independently predict outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Overweight patients had a better prognosis after primary angioplasty for ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction compared with other BMI categories, but this was dependent on other potentially confounding variables.

Cirurgia Cardíaca em Doentes de Muito Alto Risco

Purpose: To assess the results obtained in very high-risk patients, which are those patients with an EUROSCORE greater than 13 points. Material and methods: From September 2001 to September 2003, thirty-three very high-risk patients were operated on in our department, which represents 1.6% of all the surgical activity during that period of time, being 17 male and 16 female, with an average of 69 years old (maximum 86 and minimum 32). Diagnosis includes: post infarction CIV 5, coronary insufficiency 11, aortic dissection 3, mitral prosthesis 3, valvular disease 9, aortic prosthesis disfunction 2. Fifteen patients underwent an emergency procedure, 12 were urgent and the remaining 6 were electively operated on. Results: Overall post-operative mortality was 12 patients (36%), being 6 emergent, 5 urgent and 1 elective patient. Patients who survived the operation had longer intensive care and hospital admission periods, which will be analyzed in detail. Conclusion: Surgery can be justified in very high risk patients. Despite the high perioperative mortality and longer periods of hospital stay, they will be otherwise condamned to death, if surgery would not be performed.

Tratamento Cirúrgico dos Defeitos do Septo Auriculo-Ventricular. Experiência Uni-Institucional

OBJECTIVES: Atrio-ventricular septal (AVSD) defects include a variable spectrum of congenital malformations with different forms of clinical presentation. We report the surgical results, from a single institution, with this type of congenital cardiac malformation. Patients with hypoplasia of one of the ventricles were excluded from this analysis. POPULATION: Between November of 1998 and June of 2005, 49 patients with AVSD were operated on by the same team and in the same department. The average age was 37.3 months (medium 6 months) and 31 patients were female. In 38 patients (78%) an inter-ventricular communication was present (AVSD-complete) and of these, 26 were of the type A of Rastelli, being 13 of type B or C. The age for defect correction of the complete form was of 5.5 months, palliative surgery was not carried out on any of the patients. Associated lesions included: Down's syndrome in 22 patients (45%), patent arterial duct in 17 patients (35%), severe AV regurgitation in 4 patients (8%), tetralogy of Fallot in two (4%) and sub-aortic stenosis in one patient (2%). Pre-operatively 10 patients presented severe congestive heart failure and two were mechanically ventilated. RESULTS: Complete biventricular correction was carried out in all patients. The average time on bypass (ECC) was 74.1+/-17.5 min. and time of aortic clamping was 52.0+/-12.9 min. The complete defects were corrected by the double patch technique, and in all patients the mitral cleft was closed, except in two with single papillary muscle. There was no intra-operative mortality, but hospital mortality was 8%(4 patients), due to pulmonary hypertension crises, in the first 15 post-operative days. The mean ventilation time was of 36.5+/-93 hours (medium 7 h) and the average ICU stay was of 4.3+/-4.8 days (medium 3 days). The minimum follow-up period is 1 month and the maximum is 84 months (medium 29.5 months), during which time 4 re-operations (8%) took place: two for residual VSD's and two for mitral regurgitation. There was no mortality at re-do surgery. At follow up there was residual mitral regurgitation, mild in 17 patients and moderate in two. Four other patients presented with minor residual defects. CONCLUSIONS: The complete correction of AVSD can be carried out with acceptable results, in a varied spectrum of anatomic forms and of clinical severity. Despite the age of correction, for the complete forms, predominantly below 12 months, pulmonary hypertension was the constant cause for post operative mortality. Earlier timing of surgery and stricter peri-operative control might still improve results.

Cirurgias de Derivação do Ventrículo Pulmonar

Cavopulmonary connections have been extensively used in the palliation of complex forms of congenital heart disease requiring some form of right heart bypass. We examine the mid term outcomes of pulmonary ventricle bypass operations in a single institution and performed by the same surgical team. POPULATION: Between March 1999 and April 2006, 62 patients underwent pulmonary ventricle bypass operations: bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis (Glenn procedure), total cavopulmonary connections (Fontan procedure) and one and a half ventricle correction in two cases. Age at operation averaged three years (range: 0.42-25 years) for the Glenn procedure and seven years (range: 3-14 years) for the Fontan procedure. There were 36 male patients (58%) and 26 female patients (42%). The most common indication for surgery was the single ventricle defect, present in 66% of patients. Associated lesions included: transposition of the great arteries in 16 patients (35.6%), bilateral superior vena cava in four patients (8.9%), situs ambigus in five patients (11%), situs inversus in another patient (2.2%), Ebstein disease in one patient (2.2) and coronary fistula in another patient (2.2%). Sub-aortic stenosis was present in one patient (2.2%). Palliative surgery was performed in all, but three patients (5%), before the Fontan procedure. RESULTS: Thirty two patients underwent bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis and thirty patients underwent cavopulmonary connections, total or 2nd stage. Mean cardiopulmonary bypass times were 50.6+/-21.9 minutes for the Glenn procedure and 88.5+/-26.3 minutes for the Fontan procedure. There was no intra-operative mortality, but two patients (3.2% (died in the first month after surgery; one due to failure of the Glenn circuit and sepsis and the other due to a low cardiac output syndrome and multi-organ dysfunction. Mean ventilation time was 5.2+/-1.7 hours for the Glenn operation and 6.2+/-3.2 hours for the Fontan operation. The mean length of stay in ICU was 3.4+/-2.8 days for patients undergoing the Glenn operation and 4.6+/-3.1 days for patients undergoing the Fontan operation and the mean length of hospital stay was 10.6+/-5.8 days for the Glenn operation and 19.1+/-12.6 days for the Fontan operation respectively. The mean follow up time was 4+/-2.1 years (minimum 0 years and maximum seven years), most patients being in NYHA class I. Epicardiac pacemakers were implanted in three patients due to arrhythmias. Two re-operations (6.7%) were needed, both in the same patient, after the Fontan procedure, this patient eventually died a few years after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The immediate and mid term outcomes of pulmonary ventricle bypass operations can have excellent results. From our point of view there has been an improvement, namely in the use of the extracardiac conduit technique in the 2nd stage of the Fontan operation.