0000000000054892
AUTHOR
Marco Moscarelli
Surgical management of moderate ischemic mitral valve regurgitation: Where do we stand?
Ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) represents a common complication after myocardial infarction. The valve is anatomically normal and the incompetence is the result of papillary muscles displacement and annular dilatation, causing leaflets tethering. Functionally the leaflets present a restricted systolic motion due to tethering forces that displaces the coaptation surface toward the left ventricle apex. The patients present poor left ventricular function at the time of surgery and the severity of the mitral regurgitation increases the risk of mortality. Currently there is general agreement to treat surgically severe IMR nevertheless strong evidences for patient with moderate insufficiency…
The effect of off-pump coronary artery bypass on mortality after acute coronary syndrome: A meta-analysis
Background Patients requiring surgical revascularisation for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) form a clinically heterogeneous group ranging from haemodynamic stability to cardiogenic shock. Whilst 'off-pump' revascularisation (OPCAB) is often considered, patient selection and operative timing remain controversial. This study aims to identify whether OPCAB may confer a mortality benefit over ONCAB in revascularisation for ACS. Secondly, we review the impact of OPCAB on completeness of revascularisation (CR) and long-term re-intervention. Methods A systematic literature review identified 9 studies (1 randomised controlled trial) of which 8 fulfilled criteria for meta-analysis. Outcomes for a tot…
Graft patency and late outcomes for patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction who underwent coronary surgery
Objective: The aim of our study was to assess the long-term clinical outcomes and the grafts patency rates of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who underwent urgent or emergency coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Materials: Participants in two previous studies comprising 207 STEMI patients undergoing on-pump (145 patients) or off-pump (62 patients) coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery in our institution were prospectively followed to assess late mortality, graft patency, and major adverse cardiac-related event (MACE) rates. Graft patency was evaluated by multi-detector computed tomography angiography 64-slice scan. Mean times of graft implantation…
Mid-term results of bicuspid aortic valve repair guided by morphology and function assessment.
Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is frequently associated with aortic insufficiency (AI) due to cusp disease and/or aortic root dilatation. Based on functional classification and morphology, a systematic surgical approach was used for aortic valve repair (AVr).From 2004 to 2014, 152 consecutive patients (mean age 55 ± 7 years) with BAV underwent AVr with or without concomitant aortic root surgery. Cusp pathology was treated with central plication in 60 (39.5%) patients, free edge reinforcement in 45 (29.6%), triangular resection in 28 (18.4%) and pericardial patch in 19 (12.5%). Aortic root dilatation was corrected with valve sparing reimplantation in 65 patients. Mean follow-up was 68 ± 36 mont…
A Comparison of 2 Mitral Annuloplasty Rings for Severe Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation: Clinical and Echocardiographic Outcomes.
Controversies regarding the choice of annuloplasty rings for treatment of ischemic mitral regurgitation still exist. Aim of the study is to compare early performance of 2 different rings in terms of rest and exercise echocardiographic parameters (transmitral gradient, systolic pulmonary artery pressure, and mitral valve area), clinical outcomes, and recurrence of mitral regurgitation. From January 2008 till December 2013, prospectively collected data of patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting and undersizing mitral valve annuloplasty for severe chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation at our Institution were reviewed. A total of 93 patients were identified; among them 44 had sem…
Cardiac surgery outcomes in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): A case-series report
Abstract Objective The impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the postoperative course of patients after cardiac surgery is unknown. We experienced a major severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak in our cardiac surgery unit, with several patients who tested positive early after surgery. Here we describe the characteristics, postoperative course, and laboratory findings of these patients, along with the fate of the health care workers. We also discuss how we reorganize and reallocate hospital resources to resume the surgical activity without further positive patients. Methods After diagnosis of the first symptomatic patient, surgery was suspended. Naso…
The role of minimal access valve surgery in the elderly. A meta-analysis of observational studies
Background Minimal access valve surgery, both mitral and aortic, may be related to improvement in specific post-operative outcomes, therefore may be beneficial for the subgroup of the elderly referred for valve surgery. Methods A systematic literature review identified several different studies, of which 6 fulfilled criteria for meta-analysis. Outcomes for a total of 1347 patients (675 conventional standard sternotomy and 672 minimally invasive valve surgery) were assessed with a meta-analysis using random effects modeling. Heterogeneity, subgroup analysis with quality scoring were also assessed. The primary endpoint was early mortality. Secondary endpoints included intra and post-operative…
Implantation of Gore-Tex chordae on aortic valve leaflet to treat prolapse using "the chordae technique": surgical aspects and clinical results.
Background Repair of prolapsed aortic valve leaflets has been considered a challenging technique for cardiac surgeons. In this paper we describe our surgical approach, "the chordae technique." It consists of the correction of aortic cusp prolapse by shortening the free margin length and of an adjustment of the leaflets coaptation height by anchoring the prolapsing cusp to the aortic wall at the sinotubular junction level. Methods Between February 2003 and December 2006, 26 patients with one or more prolapsed aortic leaflets underwent surgical repair using the new approach. The mean age of patients was 55 ± 10 years. There were 10 (38.5%) patients with grade II aortic valve regurgitation, 4 …
Shedding some light on tricuspid intervention
Background More than 1.6 million Americans have at least moderate to severe valvular tricuspid regurgitation, yet fewer than 8000 tricuspid valve operations are performed annually in the USA. The undertreatment for isolated tricuspid regurgitation might be related to the fact that in the past years no clear guidelines on 'how' and 'when' to treat tricuspid regurgitation were issued. Aims Sarris-Michopoulos and colleagues carried out a meta-analysis with the aim to investigate the role of tricuspid valve repair versus tricuspid valve replacement in patients with isolated tricuspid valve regurgitation. Material and methods Outcomes of patients with first-time surgery for isolated tricuspid va…
Aortic stenosis: insights on pathogenesis and clinical implications
Aortic stenosis (AS) is a common valvular heart disease in the Western populations, with an estimated overall prevalence of 3% in adults over 75 years. To understand its patho-biological processes represents a priority. In elderly patients, AS usually involves trileaflet valves and is referred to as degenerative calcific processes. Scientific evidence suggests the involvement of an active "atherosclerosis-like" pathogenesis in the initiation phase of degenerative AS. To the contrary, the progression could be driven by different forces (such as mechanical stress, genetic factors and interaction between inflammation and calcification). The improved understanding presents potentially new thera…
What Is the Role of Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Surgery in High-Risk Patients? A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies
Background. Minimally invasive valve surgery is related to certain better postoperative outcomes. We aimed to assess the role of minimally invasive mitral valve surgery in high-risk patients. Methods. A systematic literature review identified eight studies of which seven fulfilled criteria for metaanalysis. Outcomes for a total of 1,254 patients (731 were conventional standard sternotomy and 523 were minimally invasive mitral valve surgery) were submitted to meta-analysis using random effects modeling. Heterogeneity and subgroup analysis with quality scoring were assessed. The primary end point was early mortality. Secondary end points were intraoperative and postoperative outcomes and long…
Non-sutureless minimally invasive aortic valve replacement: mini-sternotomy versus mini-thoracotomy: a series of 1130 patients
Objectives Aortic valve replacement through conventional sternotomy still represents the gold-standard surgical approach for aortic valve disease. However, given the increasing number of patients with comorbidities, strategies that can improve operative results are always sought. Minimally invasive aortic valve surgery, although related to a steep learning curve, might be associated with improved postoperative outcomes. The main aim of this study was to assess whether significant differences exist in terms of operative and early results between a mini-sternotomy and a right mini-thoracotomy approach for isolated aortic valve replacement without sutureless technologies. Methods This is an ob…