Adverse Technical Events During Aortic Root Replacement.

Background: Although adverse technical events during aortic root replacement (ARR) are not uncommon and are extremely challenging, there is scant literature to help surgeons prepare for such situations. We describe our experience of outstanding technical events during ARR.

Methods: This is a retrospective study of 830 consecutive ARRs at a single center from 2012 to 2022.

Mechanical Circulatory Support During Surgical Revascularization for Ischemic Cardiomyopathy.

Background: This study aimed to describe the use of perioperative mechanical circulatory support (MCS) and its impact on outcomes in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy who were undergoing surgical revascularization.

Methods: Patients with an ejection fraction <35% who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) from 2015 to 2021 were identified (N = 378). Patients were divided into no MCS, preoperative MCS, and postoperative MCS groups on the basis of timing of MCS initiation, which included intraaortic balloon pump, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or Impella device (Abiomed) use.

Effect of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation initiation timing on tricuspid valve surgery outcomes.

Objectives: Tricuspid valve surgery is associated with high rates of shock and in-hospital mortality. Early initiation of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation after surgery may provide right ventricular support and improve survival. We evaluated mortality in patients undergoing tricuspid valve surgery based on the timing of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Comparison of Risk Models in the Prediction of 30-Day Mortality in Acute Myocardial Infarction-Associated Cardiogenic Shock.

Background: There are numerous risk-prediction models applied to acute myocardial infarction-related cardiogenic shock (AMI-CS) patients to determine a more accurate prognosis and to assist in patient triage. There is wide heterogeneity among the risk models including the nature of predictors evaluated and their specific outcome measures. The aim of this analysis was to evaluate the performance of 20 risk-prediction models in AMI-CS patients.

Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions Shock Classification to Stratify Outcomes of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

We applied the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) schema to cardiogenic shock (CS) patients treated with venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) to assess performance in this high acuity group of patients. Records of adult patients receiving VA-ECMO for CS at our institution from 01/2015 to 12/2019 were reviewed. Post-cardiotomy and noncardiogenic shock patients were excluded.

Continuous near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy monitoring to guide distal perfusion can minimize limb ischemia surgery for patients requiring femoral venoarterial extracorporeal life support.

Background: Patients requiring femoral venoarterial (VA) extracorporeal life support (ECLS) are at risk of distal lower limb hypoperfusion and ischemia of the cannulated leg. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of using continuous noninvasive lower limb oximetry with near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) to detect tissue hypoxia and guide distal perfusion catheter (DPC) placement on the rates of leg ischemia requiring surgical intervention.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients who had undergone femoral VA-ECLS at our institution from 2010 to 2014 (pre-NIRS era) and 2017 to 2021 (NIRS era).

Outcomes following successful decannulation from extracorporeal life support for cardiogenic shock.

Objective: Although extracorporeal life support (ECLS) has increasingly been used for the treatment of patients with cardiogenic shock (CS), the outcomes of those successfully weaned from support remain poorly defined.

Methods: Of 510 venoarterial ECLS CS patients at our institution between January 2015 and December 2020, 249 were decannulated and survived for 30 days or until discharge (ie, successfully weaned). Factors associated with survival to discharge were assessed and 1-year survival was described.

Assessing sex-based differences in postsurgical clinical outcomes after use of del Nido cardioplegia.

Objectives: del Nido cardioplegia is used to pharmacologically arrest the heart during cardiac surgery and decrease reperfusion- and ischaemia-related myocardial injury. Studies have demonstrated the physiological differences between male and female hearts, potentially related to cardiac size or myocyte calcium handling; we aimed to assess for between-sex differences in clinical outcomes after receipt of del Nido cardioplegia.

Methods: Patients who underwent coronary artery bypass or coronary artery bypass graft/valve surgery at our institution using del Nido cardioplegia (January 2014 to December 2019) were included (n = 2118).

Predictors of 1-year outcome after cardiac re-transplantation: Machine learning analysis.

Background: As cardiac re-transplantation is associated with inferior outcomes compared with primary transplantation, allocating scarce resources to appropriate re-transplant candidates is important. The aim of this study is to elucidate the factors associated with 1-year mortality in cardiac re-transplantation using the random forests algorithm for survival analysis.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the United Network for Organ Sharing registry and identified all adult (> 17 years old) recipients who underwent cardiac re-transplantation between January 2000 and March 2020.

Stroke patterns and cannulation strategy during veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane support.

Stroke has potentially devastating consequences for patients receiving veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane support (VA-ECMO). Arterial cannulation sites for VA-ECMO include the ascending aorta, axillary artery, and femoral artery. However, the influence of cannulation site on stroke risk has not been well described.

Role of left atrial appendage occlusion in patients with HeartMate 3.

Objectives: Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) at the time of implantation may reduce thromboembolic events (TEs) during continuous-flow left ventricular assist device support. The HeartMate 3 (HM3) reduces TEs overall, but the efficacy of LAAO in HM3 is unknown.

Methods: Adults receiving first HM3 implantation from November 2014 through December 2019 at a single, large medical centre were retrospectively reviewed.

A case series analysis on the clinical experience of Impella 5.5® at a large tertiary care centre.

Aims: We aimed to detail the early clinical experience with pVAD 5.5 at a large academic medical centre. Impella® 5.

Impact of Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Flow on Outcomes in Cardiogenic Shock.

Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) is used to provide cardiopulmonary support in cardiogenic shock; however, high extracorporeal flow may increase left ventricular (LV) afterload leading to LV distention and intracardiac stasis. It is unclear how ECMO flow affects patient outcomes and complications related to ECMO. Retrospective review of patients at a single institution placed on VA ECMO from 2007 to 2018 was performed.

Left Ventricular Assist Device Support-Induced Alteration of Mechanical Stress on Aortic Valve and Aortic Wall.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the fluid dynamics in the aortic valve and proximal aorta during continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support using epiaortic echocardiography and vector flow mapping technology. A total of 12 patients who underwent HeartMate 3 implantation between December 2018 and February 2020 were prospectively examined. The wall shear stress (WSS) on the ascending aorta, aortic root, and aortic valve was evaluated before and after LVAD implantation.