Between September 1992 and August 2007, 1,353 repairs of the thoracic aorta were performed, with 82% using CSF drainage. The CSF drainage was not used in cases of rupture, acute trauma, infection, or prior paraplegia. Thirty-one percent (76 of 246) of patients without CSF drainage were repaired prior to standardized use. All drains were inserted by cardiovascular anesthesia staff. Repairs were performed using distal aortic perfusion with heparinization. Early management involved free drainage to maintain CSF pressure less than10 mm Hg, but was later modified to limit CSF drainage unless neurologic deficit occurred.

Cerebrospinal fluid drainage was technically achieved in 99.8% (1,105 of 1,107) of cases. The CSF catheter-related complications occurred in 1.5% (17 of 1,107) of patients. No spinal hematomas were observed. The CSF leaks with spinal headache, CSF leak without spinal headache, spinal headache, intracranial hemorrhage, catheter fracture, and meningitis occurred in 6 (0.54%), 1 (0.1%), 2 (0.2%), 5 (0.45%), 1 (0.1%), and 2 (0.2%) cases, respectively. Mortality from subdural hematoma was 40% (2 of 5), and from meningitis was 50% (1 of 2). Spinal headaches resolved with conservative management. All CSF leaks resolved, but 71% (5/7) required blood patches. Since implementation of a limited CSF drainage protocol, no subdural hematomas have been observed.

Cerebrospinal fluid drainage for thoracic aortic repairs can be performed safely with excellent technical success. Perioperative management of CSF drains requires diligent monitoring and judicious drainage. Standardizing CSF management may be beneficial.

Between 1998 and 2008, 111 patients underwent arch aneurysm repair with LET. A 4-branched graft was sutured to the sinotubular junction, the distal ascending aorta transected, and a LET inserted into the aortic arch while selective cerebral perfusion was maintained. The graft distal end was anastomosed to the LET, incorporating the distal ascending aorta, and arch vessels were anastomosed to graft branches.

Concomitantly, 33 patients (30%) underwent other cardiac procedures, including 11 aortic root replacements. Two patients died (1.8%) within 30 days and 7 died (6.3%) after 30 days. Perioperative morbidity included 2 (1.8%) with stroke, 3 (2.7%) with paraplegia, and 1 (0.9%) with paraparesis. Postoperative computed tomography scans revealed complete aneurysmal thrombosis around the LET in 88 patients (79%), who were monitored without a second-stage procedure. Among 23 patients with incomplete thrombosis, 19 underwent a second-stage procedure to complete distal fixation of the LET. Overall survival was 88%, 83%, and 75%, at 1, 3, and 5 years after aneurysm repair with the LET. No aneurysm rupture or reexpansion occurred in patients with complete thrombosis. Four patients with incomplete thrombosis died of rupture before the second-stage procedure.

Our results demonstrated safety and good durability of the LET technique and suggest that this technique is a simple and safe procedure that is applicable to a variety of arch aneurysms.

Two independent observers evaluated 1108 consecutive postoperative RA conduit angiograms performed between January 1997 and June 2007 for cardiac symptoms. Mean time to postoperative angiography was 48.3 months (range, 1 to 132 months). An RA graft was considered failed (nonpatent) if there was stenosis exceeding 60%, string sign, or occlusion. Patency was determined over time, by coronary territory grafted and by the degree of native coronary artery stenosis (NCAS).

At a mean of 48.3 months, 982 of the 1108 RA grafts (89%) were patent. RA patencies for the left anterior descending were 96% (24 of 25), diagonal/intermediate, 90% (121 of 135); circumflex marginal, 89% (499 of 561); right coronary, 83% (38 of 46); posterior descending, 89% (253 of 286); and left ventricular branch/posterolateral, 86% (47 of 55). Patency was 87.5% (56 of 64) for NCAS of less than 60% compared with 89% (926 of 1044; p = 0.89) for NCAS exceeding 60%. Of 318 RAs in place more than 5 years, 294 (92.5%) were patent, and for 107 RAs in place for more than 7 years, 99 were patent (92.5%). Patency was consistent through each year of the decade. Mechanisms of failure did not involve development of atherosclerosis. Patent RA grafts were smooth, with no angiographic evidence of atheroma.

Late patencies of RA grafts are excellent and justify continuing use of the RA in coronary operations.

We compared late survival of 532 consecutive patients receiving sequential RA grafts (sequential RA group: 438 men; 462 with three-vessel disease) with that of a 4,131 contemporaneous internal thoracic artery (ITA) with saphenous vein (SV) multivessel CABG cohort (conventional group). Graft failure rates were determined from symptom-driven repeat angiography films in 122 sequential RA patients performed 2 to 4,317 days after surgery. Median survival sequential RA follow-up was 5.3 years (range, 0.5 to 12.3).

The sequential RA patients received a total of 1,181 RA grafts (538 sequential [30 triple] and 75 single) along with 636 SV and 533 ITA. Overall RA graft failure (80 of 272; 29%) was intermediate to that for ITA (7 of 121; 5.8%; p < 0.001) and vein (54 of 133, 41.6%; p = 0.032) grafts. Sequential versus nonsequential RA failure did not differ (77 of 252 [31%] versus 3 of 20 [15%]; p = 0.202), while failure of the proximal (36 of 123; 29%) and distal (40 of 129; 31%) components of sequential RA grafts were essentially identical. A total of 69 deaths (6 operative; 1.1%) have occurred in the sequential RA cohort. Unadjusted 10-year sequential RA cohort survival was 76.2% overall, and 79.0% for the 454 primary isolated CABG subgroup. The risk-adjusted 10-year survival using a logit propensity score was substantially better for the sequential RA cohort versus the conventional CABG cohort (risk ratio [95% confidence interval] 0.61 [0.44 to 0.85]; p = 0.003).

Sequential RA grafting is a safe method for maximizing arterial revascularization and is associated with excellent 10-year survival that seems to be superior to conventional or ITA/SV CABG results. Also, the similar proximal and distal sequential RA patency mitigates concerns of a clinically significant effect of increased vasoreactivity of distal segments of RA conduits.

A multiyear statewide data repository with clinical and billing data was used to measure outcomes for the period 2004 to 2007. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons records matched with Universal Billing (UB-04) charge data for all payers were used to estimate the additive costs of cardiac surgical outcomes using cost-to-charge ratios. Additive cost was defined as the difference between the baseline cost of an average case with no complications and one with a postoperative morbidity or mortality. Multivariate analysis was used to account for important covariates and apportion incremental costs.

The baseline cost of isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) cases with no complications during the study period was $26,056. Isolated atrial fibrillation was the most frequently cited complication and had the lowest additive cost ($2,574). Additive costs for isolated CABG patients were greatest for those cases involving prolonged ventilation ($40,704), renal failure ($49,128), mediastinitis ($62,773), and operative mortality ($49,242).

Additive costs can serve as an indicator for pursuing quality improvement initiatives. Our results suggest additive costs vary according to type of postoperative complication and comorbidities. Regional collaborations of multidisciplinary groups in cardiac surgery are an effective means to implement quality guidelines and drive down additive costs.

From September 1998 to September 2008, 580 consecutive patients receiving off-pump multivessel arterial grafts only were compared with a control group of patients (n = 806) undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting with internal thoracic artery and saphenous veins operated on by the same surgeon. Two different statistical approaches were used to compare groups in this retrospective analysis. First, propensity score analysis was used to match patients from each group. Second, a multivariate analysis was performed looking at a combined patient outcome of death, intraaortic balloon counterpulsation utilization, myocardial infarction, stroke, prolonged ventilation, and reoperation for any cause on all patients in both groups.

After matching by propensity score, the major clinical outcomes in total arterial (n = 346) and control (n = 346) groups were found to be similar. The in-hospital mortality in the total arterial group was 1.2% as compared with 2.0% in matched patients (p = 0.8). However, patients in the total arterial group were found to have a significantly increased incidence of reexploration for bleeding (p < 0.0001) and blood product usage (p < 0.0001). There was a higher incidence of combined morbidity outcome (18.8% versus 12.1%; p = 0.001) for the control group compared with the total arterial group. Multivariate analysis failed to show that total arterial grafting was an independent predictor of the combined morbidity outcome.

Off-pump multivessel total arterial grafting can be performed safely with superior in-hospital outcomes compared with off-pump conventional coronary artery bypass grafting.

We evaluated coronary angiograms in 63 patients who had left anterior descending artery (LAD) segmental reconstruction with or without endarterectomy after off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery. The diameters of the ITA and reconstructed coronary artery were measured early and at 1 year after surgery.

The mean diameter of the reconstructed LAD was significantly larger than that of the ITA, but significantly decreased 1 year after surgery (2.69 ± 0.53 mm versus 1.87 ± 0.39 mm; p > 0.0001). The proximal ratio, the ratio of the ITA to proximal reconstructed coronary artery, and the distal ratio, the ratio of the distal LAD to distal reconstructed coronary artery, increased to a value of almost 1.0 (0.77 ± 0.11 versus 1.05 ± 0.18, p < 0.0001, and 0.77 ± 0.14 versus 0.92 ± 0.12, p < 0.0001, respectively). Based on the mean diameter of the reconstructed coronary artery, there were no relationships between the use of endarterectomy and the degree of native coronary stenosis. The proximal ratio in the group with severe stenosis was significantly greater than that in the group with mild stenosis (1.08 ± 0.18 versus 0.95 ± 0.16; p = 0.036), although the distal ratio was not different between the two groups.

Vascular remodeling of the coronary artery reconstructed with the ITA is observed within 1 year after surgery.

One-hundred and ninety-seven selected patients undergoing CABG were assigned to two groups according to antiplatelet drug: the clopidogrel group of 102 patients who received clopidogrel (75 mg) daily; and the combination group of 95 patients who received clopidogrel (75 mg) plus aspirin (100 mg) daily. Multislice computed tomography angiography was performed to evaluate graft patency at 1 month and 12 months after CABG.

There were no significant differences between the two groups in preoperational data. At 1 month and 12 months after CABG graft patency rates of clopidogrel group were, respectively, 99.0% and 96.9% for the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) and 98.1% and 93.5% for the saphenous vein grafts; those of the combination group were, respectively, 98.9% and 97.8% for LIMA, and 98.2% and 96.3% for saphenous vein grafts. There were no significant differences in graft patency between the two groups (p > 0.05).

Either clopidogrel plus aspirin or clopidogrel alone maintain high graft patency in the early postoperative phase after CABG. The observed trend toward higher patency rates in patients treated with clopidogrel plus aspirin compared to those in the clopidogrel group did not reach statistical significance.

We identified 108 consecutive patients who had cardiorespiratory arrest after coronary artery bypass grafting or aortic valve replacement between April 1999 and June 2008. We studied the characteristics of arrests and survivors, and performed a multivariate logistic analysis to determine features associated with survival to hospital discharge.

Cardiac arrest (n = 86) was more common than respiratory arrest (n = 13; unknown cause, n = 9). Cardiorespiratory arrest occurred with decreasing frequency from the day of surgery. Ventricular fibrillation or tachycardia was the dominant mechanism of cardiac arrest (70% versus 17% for asystole versus 13% for pulseless electrical activity), and the principal causes were postoperative myocardial infarction (n = 46; 53%) and tamponade or bleeding (n = 21; 24%). Resternotomy was performed in 45 patients (52%), cardiopulmonary bypass reinstituted in 14 (16%), and additional grafts constructed in 5 (6%). The causes of respiratory arrest were mainly pulmonary (n = 8) and neurologic (n = 5). Survival to hospital discharge was better for respiratory arrest (69%) than for cardiac arrest (50%). Older age, ejection fraction less than 0.30, and postoperative myocardial infarction decreased the probability of survival.

Ventricular fibrillation or tachycardia was the most common mechanism, and myocardial infarction, the predominant precipitating cause of cardiac arrest after coronary artery bypass grafting or aortic valve replacement. Despite aggressive resuscitation, outcome is poor. Young patients with good left ventricular function had a better probability of survival if they did not suffer a postoperative myocardial infarction.

Prospectively collected data from the Department of Veterans Affairs Continuous Improvement in Cardiac Surgery Program were used to identify 70,616 consecutive cardiac surgical procedures performed between October 1997 and October 2007. Morbidity and mortality rates were compared between early (July 1 to August 31, n = 11,975) and late (September 1 to June 30, n = 58,641) periods in the academic year. A prediction model was constructed by using stepwise logistic regression modeling.

The two patient groups had similar demographic and risk variables. Isolated coronary artery bypass grafting accounted for 76.7% of early-period procedures and 75.8% of later-period procedures (p = 0.03). Morbidity rates did not differ significantly between the early (14.0%) and later periods (14.2%; odds ratio [OR], 1.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.96 to 1.07; p = 0.67) and operative mortality was similar, 3.7% vs 3.9% (OR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.89 to 1.11; p = 0.90). The early portion of the year was associated with longer cardiac ischemia times (84 ± 40 vs 83 ± 42 minutes), cardiopulmonary bypass times (126 ±52 vs 124 ±56 minutes), and total surgical times (295 ± 90 vs 288 ± 90 minutes; p < 0.05 for all).

The early part of the academic year was associated with slightly longer operative times; however, risk-adjusted outcomes were similar in both periods. This finding should lessen concerns about the quality of cardiac surgical care at the beginning of the academic year.

From 1985 to 2007, 3,057 patients underwent primary isolated posterior leaflet repair for degenerative mitral disease either with prosthetic anuloplasty (n = 2,754, 90%) or without (n = 303, 9.9%: no anuloplasty, 68; suture anuloplasty, 7; pericardial anuloplasty, 228). Most of the latter operations occurred in the early 1990s. Differences in patient characteristics were addressed by propensity-score adjustment and matching (214 pairs). In all, 3,870 echocardiograms for 1,236 patients were available for assessing mitral regurgitation after prosthetic anuloplasty and 257 in 99 patients without one. Mean follow-up for mitral valve reoperation was 4.2 ± 4.1 years, with 13,003 patient-years of data available for analysis.

Early, and to a lesser degree late, postoperative mitral regurgitation was less after prosthetic anuloplasty than repair without one, and this difference persisted after risk adjustment and in propensity-matched patients (p = 0.0002). Freedom from mitral valve reoperation was 96% and 94% at 10 years after repair with versus without prosthetic anuloplasty in unmatched groups, and 97% and 96% in matched groups (p = 0.3), respectively. Unadjusted survival was greater with than without prosthetic anuloplasty (84% versus 81% at 10 years, p = 0.009), but similar after propensity adjustment and in matched pairs.

Mitral valve repair without a prosthetic anuloplasty was associated with accelerated return of mitral regurgitation, although risk-adjusted survival was similar. This finding has important implications for durability of percutaneous mitral repair techniques that do not address both leaflets and anulus.

Between March 1995 and August 2004, 41 consecutive patients were included. The mean age was 32.2 ± 13.9 years. The causes of AR were rheumatic in 31 patients (75.5%), degenerative in 2 patients (4.9%), bicuspid aortic valve in 4 patients (9.8%), infective endocarditis in 1 patient (2.4%), and congenital in 3 patients (7.3%). Leaflet extensions were performed in three leaflets for 32 patients, two leaflets for 3 patients, and only one leaflet for 6 patients. The mean follow-up duration was 92.9 ± 48.4 months.

There were no early deaths and 2 late deaths. One patient died of cancer and the other patient died of infective endocarditis. The cardiac-related mortality was 2.4% (1 of 41 patients). During a mean follow-up of 7 years, severe AR was detected in 1 patient and moderate AR in 6 patients (17.0%; 7 of 41 patients). The causes of recurrent AR were infective endocarditis in 3 patients, disease progression in 3 patients, and Behçet's diseases in 1 patient. We performed 6 reoperations (14.6%), 3 in patients owing to infective endocarditis, 2 in patients owing to disease progression, and 1 in a patient owing to the suture dehiscence associated with Behçet's disease. The cumulative survival was 92.6% at 13 years. Freedom from recurrent AR was 97.5% at 5 years, 81.7% at 10 years, and 68.1% at 13 years.

The long-term durability of the leaflet extension technique was acceptable. The reoperations increased with time, but pericardial leaflet dysfunction was not the cause.

Eighteen patients underwent TAVI using the Edwards Sapien bioprosthesis (Edwards Lifesciences Inc, CA) between September 2007 and June 2008 due to contraindications of conventional surgery (n = 5) or high operative risk (n = 13). The system was introduced through 2 purse string sutures in the apex under echocardiographic and fluoroscopic control.

The implantation success rate and initial procedural success were 100%. There was no intraoperative death and no stroke. During the procedure, two cases of ventricular fibrillation consequent to rapid pacing were treated by cardioversion. Acute mitral regurgitation due to traction of the subvalvular apparatus by the guidewire and acute aortic regurgitation from pressure on a bioprosthesis cusp by the guidewire were diagnosed by transesophageal echocardiography and reversed by the removal of the guidewire. Another case of aortic regurgitation was due to incomplete deployment of the bioprosthesis and was managed by a "valve after valve" procedure. Two patients died on postoperative day 2 from left ventricular failure. In one patient the postmortem study showed, despite correct implantation of the bioprosthesis, a hematoma of the septum with a small ventricular septal defect. The total in-hospital death was 27.7% (5 patients). There was no periprocedural bleeding but in one patient delayed rupture of the apex (36 hours after the procedure) necessitated emergency surgery. A false aneurysm of the apex appeared 3 months after surgery in another patient. Closure of the apex was performed through sternotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass with an uneventful follow-up.

The TAVI is associated with incidents and complications different to those encountered in conventional aortic valve surgery. Recognizing their existence contributes to elucidating their mechanisms and to propose solutions to avoid or treat them.

Data of all patients who underwent valve operations with or without associated CABG between October 2, 1991, and November 14, 2007, were obtained from the department's database and analyzed using logistic regression for 30-day and Cox models for long-term mortality to determine the effects of transfusion on death. To control for the potential interaction between transfusion and complications and sicker patients being more likely to receive blood, we separately analyzed the data for the different valve populations and used propensity analysis to control for sicker patients being more likely to receive blood.

Of 1823 patients who underwent valve operations, the operation was isolated in 993 and combined with CABG in 830. By 30 days, 125 patients (6.9%) had died, and 717 (39%) were dead at follow-up. After controlling for type of operation and factors that influenced the transfusion decision, transfusion was associated with increased death only in patients who had combined valve and CABG, and not in isolated valve operations.

Transfusion had no effect on the mortality rate after isolated valve operations but was associated with increased mortality when valve operations were combined with CABG.

Patients with follow-up longer than 6 months who reported sinus rhythm while not taking antiarrhythmic drugs were eligible. Atrial arrhythmias longer than 30 s were considered a recurrence. The ECG, 24-hour Holter monitoring, and LTM (5 days) reports were ascertained and compared at the same time.

Patients (n = 291) underwent the full Cox-Maze III procedure, with 194 eligible for the study and 76 agreeing to participate. The average time to monitoring after surgery was 9.8 (± 7.7) months. The ECGs determined 96% of patients in sinus rhythm, Holter monitoring determined 91% in sinus rhythm, and LTM indicated 84% in sinus rhythm. Comparing ECG results and LTM results revealed that 9 patients (12%) had a significant rhythm change. Holter monitoring did not capture all the patients having events lasting longer than 1 hour. No additional information was captured by the use of LTM in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

This study reconfirmed that ECG overestimated the success rate after the Cox-Maze III operation by 12% compared with LTM. These changes may carry clinical significance when determining the success of the Cox-Maze III procedure and determining the medical management, including antiarrhythmic and anticoagulation therapy, of the patients who were found to have significant events.

A link to an online survey was e-mailed to all practicing cardiac surgeons in Canada. Each surgeon was given a unique log-in identification number to complete the survey online through a secure web page.

Surveys were sent to 166 surgeons; 119 completed surveys (72%) were returned. Only 58% of respondents routinely use β-blockade for prophylaxis. For nonusers, 44% are unconvinced of the evidence for this practice. The routine use of amiodarone among surgeons was 19%. Of the remainder, 43% cited a perceived increased risk of complications as the reason for not using this therapy. An additional 29% considered the therapy was excessively complicated or time consuming. Corticosteroids were routinely used by only one surgeon. Major barriers to use of steroids were unconvincing evidence (76%), a perceived increased risk of wound infection (38%), and hyperglycemia (30%).

Despite level 1 evidence, the use of β-blockers, amiodarone, and corticosteroids for prophylaxis of atrial fibrillation among Canadian surgeons remains less than expected. The results of this survey support the need for further clinical trials with robust and clinically relevant outcomes that may further influence surgeons to adopt this practice.

A 2-year retrospective study of patients undergoing placement of minimally invasive epicardial pacing leads or ICD coils was performed.

Eleven patients underwent minimally invasive surgical placement of leads or coils. None were converted to open sternotomy. One required extension to minianterior thoracotomy. Causes of intravenous placement failure included aberrant anatomy with failure to access coronary sinus in 9 and venous occlusion in 2. Four patients had previous operations through a median sternotomy. Procedures included left video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) placement of a left ventricular epicardial lead in 8, left VATS conversion to minianterior thoracotomy left ventricular epicardial lead placement in 1, left VATS placement of ICD coil in 1, subxiphoid placement of a right ventricular epicardial lead in 1, subxiphoid ICD coil in 2, and subcutaneous ICD coil placement in 3. Mean hospitalization was 4.6 days. Postoperative hypotension and pulmonary edema occurred in 27% of patients. No patients died.

Conventional transvenous lead implantation may be difficult or impossible in some patients with aberrant or occluded venous access. Novel surgical approaches with the use of minimally invasive procedures can establish optimally functional pacing and ICD systems without sternotomy and low associated morbidity.

This exploratory experimental study was performed in 7 open-chest dogs. Dobutamine (2.5 to 10 µg · kg^–1 · min^–1) was infused at a rate producing at least 30% increase in sinus rate and cardiac output. Then electrical SNFP-VS was applied in the epicardial ganglionic plexus located at the right pulmonary vein-atrial junction, to slow the sinus rate back to control level. Hemodynamic data during control, with steady-state dobutamine infusion, and with dobutamine plus SNFP-VS were collected and compared.

Dobutamine significantly increased heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, peak left ventricular systolic pressure, positive and negative maximal derivatives of left ventricular pressure, and cardiac output. Combining SNFP-VS with dobutamine eliminated sinus rate increase while preserving all major hemodynamic benefits. Selective SNFP-VS itself had no direct effect on cardiac contractility during atrial pacing.

Combining SNFP-VS with dobutamine could achieve hemodynamic improvement while avoiding sinus tachycardia in this dog model, suggesting that similar strategy may also be applied in patients.

Using data from a prospective observational study of 100 adult cardiac surgical patients, we correlated early postoperative concentrations of plasma NGAL and serum cystatin C with the duration (time during which AKI persisted according to the Acute Kidney Injury Network criteria) and severity of AKI (change in serum creatinine) and with length of stay in intensive care.

We found a mean AKI duration of 67.2 ± 41.0 hours which was associated with prolonged hospitalization (p < 0.001). NGAL, cystatin C, and their combination on arrival in intensive care correlated with subsequent AKI duration (all p < 0.01) and severity (all p < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for AKI prediction was 0.77 (95% confidence interval: 0.63 to 0.91) for NGAL and 0.76 (95% confidence interval: 0.61 to 0.91) for cystatin C on arrival in intensive care. Both markers also correlated with length of stay in intensive care (p = 0.037; p = 0.001). Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and cystatin C were independent predictors of AKI duration and severity and of length of stay in intensive care (all p < 0.05). The value of cystatin C on arrival in intensive care appeared to be due to a carry-over effect from preoperative values.

Immediately postoperatively, NGAL and cystatin C correlated with and were independent predictors of duration and severity of AKI and duration of intensive care stay after adult cardiac surgery. The combination of both renal biomarkers did not add predictive value.

We examined the outcomes of 40 consecutive patients seen at our center with Ebstein anomaly who had undergone tricuspid valve repair or replacement with (n = 23) or without (n = 17) concomitant CPS. Follow-up data were obtained by either chart review or contacting the referring cardiologist. Mid-term survival was examined using Kaplan-Meier curves.

The mean age at surgery was similar in patients with and without CPS (42 ± 12 versus 39 ± 19 years; p = 0.63). There were 2 early postoperative deaths owing to refractory right-sided heart failure. Mid-term follow-up data were available in 95% of patients. The mean follow-up time was 6.7 ± 4.8 years. Patients who received a CPS more commonly had preoperative heart failure or cyanosis (p = 0.04) and had worse preoperative functional status (p = 0.09). In both groups, arrhythmias were the most common late complication. There were 5 late deaths, 3 of which occurred in patients with CPS. Five-year survival with or without CPS was comparable (83% ± 9% versus 86% ± 10%; p = 0.85).

Adolescent and adult patients with Ebstein anomaly undergoing tricuspid valve replacement or repair and concomitant CPS are at risk for early and mid-term complications. However, Ebstein surgery along with CPS appears to be a reasonable surgical strategy in patients not thought to be suitable for tricuspid valve surgery alone.

Late echocardiographic and time-related clinical results of patients undergoing the Rastelli procedure were examined. Demographics and operative variables affecting outcomes were analyzed.

The Rastelli cohort comprised 36 patients with d-TGA, VSD, and pulmonary stenosis. Median age at operation was 2.4 years (range, 0.3 to 8.3 years). Pulmonary stenosis was present in 31 and atresia in 5. Twenty-two patients had undergone a previous aortopulmonary shunt, and 6 had an atrial septectomy. No operative or late deaths occurred. Time-related freedom from permanent pacemaker implantation, recurrent LVOTO on echocardiogram, and conduit replacement at 10 years was 82%, 100%, and 49%, respectively. Systolic function was normal in all but 3 patients and 92% were in New York Heart Association functional class I and II. None of the patients had late arrhythmias or required heart transplantation.

Early and midterm survival after the Rastelli procedure is satisfactory. Aggressive resection of the infundibular septum to enlarge the VSD has mitigated the risk of LVOTO recurrence. Late conduit obstruction remains an important source of morbidity and frequently requires reintervention.

The bispectral index, middle latency auditory evoked potentials, Ramsay scale, and COMFORT scale were used for assessment of the level of sedation in critically ill children after cardiac surgery and other surgical procedures. The measurements with these four methods were recorded simultaneously once a day for five days. The level of sedation was categorized in two levels, moderate or deep, according to the values obtained from each method. Correlations and agreements among the methods and the best bispectral index and middle latency auditory evoked potential values that discriminated between the two levels of sedation were calculated.

Thirty-two children after cardiac surgery were included in the study, together with eighteen children after other surgical procedures who formed the control group. In each group, the correlation and agreement between the four methods varied between moderate and good. In the cardiac surgery patients, when the level of sedation was determined by the Ramsay scale, the best values of bispectral index and middle latency auditory evoked potentials that discriminated between the two levels of sedation were 63.5 and 37.5, respectively, and these values predicted the level of sedation correctly in 84.4% of the patients with each method.

Bispectral index and middle latency auditory evoked potentials could be useful to assess the level of sedation in children after cardiac surgery.

We recorded age, weight, RACHS, BCS, CCS, mortality, and LOS for 1,103 patients undergoing cardiac surgery between September 1, 2004, and June 1, 2007, at two institutions. We used binary logistic and multiple linear regressions to evaluate determinants of mortality and LOS, respectively, the C statistic to compare the predictive power of the three scoring systems for mortality, the odds ratio to compare the two institutions, and regression coefficients to compare scoring systems and institutions for LOS.

Raw mortality was 2.9% at both institutions. Final logistic regression models contained only CCS. Odds ratios for death at institutions 1 and 2 were 1.25 and 1.26, respectively (not significant). C statistics for RACHS, BCS, and CCS were 0.73, 0.63, and 0.81, respectively (p = 0.01 for CCS versus BCS; p = 0.02 for CCS versus RACHS). Final regression model for LOS retained age, RACHS, and CCS (R² = 0.44). The RACHS regression coefficient was greater for institution 2.

The CCS tends to have more predictive power than RACHS and BCS for mortality. The LOS is moderately correlated with CCS, RACHS, and age together, but the model is a poor predictor of individual LOS. The LOS for RACHS category 6 cases differed between the institutions. This study suggests methods that can be used to compare institutions in a risk-adjusted manner.

Eight hundred two patients with congenital heart disease had 1,000 consecutive repeat sternotomies between August 2000 and November 2007. Records were reviewed for demographics, history, operative techniques, and outcomes. Univariate risk factors for reentry injury and operative mortality were assessed.

Median age and weight were 2.1 years (range, 0.1 to 34.6 years) and 11 kg (range, 2.5 to 123 kg). There were 639 second, 287 third, and 74 fourth or higher sternotomies. There were 13 reentry injuries (1.3%) involving right ventricle–pulmonary artery conduits (n = 4), aorta or aortic conduits (n = 3), right ventricular outflow tract patches or pseudoaneurysms (n = 3), and others (n = 3). Risk factors for injury were presence of a right ventricle–pulmonary artery conduit (6 of 115 with conduit [5.2%] versus 7 of 885 without [0.8%]; p < 0.001) and sternotomy number (relative risk, 2.28; p < 0.001). Reentry injury was associated with longer procedure times (median, 420 minutes with injury versus 248 without; p < 0.001). Operative mortality occurred in 18 patients and was associated with sternotomy number and procedure time (p < 0.001), but not reentry injury (p = 0.2).

Risk of reentry injury during repeat sternotomy for congenital heart disease is low. Increasing sternotomy number and the presence of a right ventricle–pulmonary artery conduit are risk factors for reentry injury. However, reentry injury is not associated with increased risk of operative mortality.

Piglets undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass were assigned to either 60 minutes of DHCA at 18°C (n = 9) or DHCA with SCP at 18°C (n = 8), using pH-stat management. SCP was administered at 10 mL/kg/min. A cerebral microdialysis catheter was implanted into the cortex for monitoring of cellular ischemia and energy stores. Cerebral oxygen tension and intracranial pressure also were monitored. After DHCA with or without SCP, animals were recovered for 4 hours off cardiopulmonary bypass.

With SCP, brain oxygen tension was preserved in contrast to DHCA alone (p < 0.01). Deep hypothermic circulatory arrest was associated with marked elevations of lactate (p < 0.01), glycerol (p < 0.01), and the lactate to pyruvate ratio (p < 0.001), as well as profound depletion of the energy substrates glucose (p < 0.001) and pyruvate (p < 0.001). These changes persisted well into recovery. With SCP, no significant cerebral microdialysis changes were observed. A strong correlation was demonstrated between cerebral oxygen levels and cerebral microdialysis markers (p < 0.001).

Selective cerebral perfusion preserves cerebral oxygenation and attenuates derangements in cerebral metabolism associated with DHCA. Cerebral microdialysis provides real-time metabolic feedback that correlates with changes in brain tissue oxygenation. This model enables further study and refinement of strategies aiming to limit brain injury in children requiring complex cardiac operations.

An in vitro model circuit of the Fontan circulation was created to reproduce the hemodynamics of the failing Fontan and test ARV performance under various central venous pressures (CVP) and flows. A novel geometry of the extracardiac conduit was designed to adapt to the need of the pump. The ARV was a low-pressure axial flow pump designed to produce a low suction inflow pressure and moderate outflow increase. With the power off, the passive forward gradient across the propeller is 2 mm Hg at 4.5 L/min. The ARV would require 4 watts at a rotation of 5000 rpm. To examine the shear loading on the red blood cells, virtual particles were injected upstream of the ARV inducer and tracked by computerized modeling.

The effect of the ARV on the failing Fontan was studied at various CVP pressures and flows, and under constant values of lung resistances and left atrial pressure set respectively to 2.5 Woods Units and 7 mm Hg. The CVP pressures decreased respectively from 25, 22.5, 20, 17.5, 15, and 10 mm Hg to a minimal value of 2 to 5 mm Hg with a pump speed varying from 1700 to 4500 rpm. The pulmonary artery pressures increased moderately between 12.5 and 25 mm Hg at 4500 rpm. Cardiac output at 4500 rpm was increased by an average gain of 2 L/min. The average blood damage index was 0.92%, far below the 5% value considered to cause hemolysis. The flow structure produced by the pump was suitable.

The performance of this novel low-pressure ARV was satisfactory, showing good decrease of CVP pressures, a moderate increase of pulmonary artery pressures, adequate increase of cardiac output, and minimal hemolysis. The use of a mock Fontan model circuit facilitates device prototyping and design to a far greater extent than can be achieved using animal studies, and is an essential first step for rapid design iteration of a novel ARV device. The next steps are the manufacturing of this device, including an electromagnetic engine, a regulatory system, and further testing the device in a survival animal experiment.

This single-institution retrospective study used medical records and an esophagectomy database to assess results in 1,133 patients who underwent transhiatal esophagectomy and a cervical esophagogastric anastomosis, 241 for benign disease and 892 for cancer, between January 1996 and December 2006.

Esophagectomy patients who experienced CEGALs included 127 (14.2%) with cancer and 23 (9.5%) with benign disease. Logistic regression analysis identified increasing number of preoperative comorbidities (p < 0.001), active smoking history (p = 0.044), and postoperative arrhythmia (p = 0.002) as risk factors for CEGALs, and a side-to-side stapled cervical esophagogastric anastomosis compared with a manually sewn one as protective (p < 0.001). For cancer patients, higher pathologic stage disease (p = 0.050) was a risk factor for CEGALs. For patients with benign disease, a higher number of prior esophagogastric operations (p = 0.007) is a risk factor for CEGALs. Of the 90.7% of CEGALs that occurred on or before postoperative day 10, cervical wound drainage (63.3%) was the most common presenting symptom. Screening barium swallow identified postoperative complications and influenced outcome in 39 patients (3.8%).

Higher number of preoperative comorbidities, advanced pathologic stage, postoperative arrhythmia, an increased number of prior esophagogastric surgeries, and active smoking history are risk factors for developing CEGAL, and a side-to-side stapled cervical esophagogastric anastomosis is protective. Screening barium swallow identifies few postoperative complications, but provides quality control.

We conducted a retrospective review of a prospective database over a 20-year period to identify patients with resected esophageal carcinoma with nonregional lymph node metastases. Medical records were reviewed and risk factors were analyzed.

Sixty-seven patients underwent esophagectomy for M1a or M1b disease from 1987 to 2007. Esophagectomy was transthoracic in 62 patients and transhiatal in 5. The median number of lymph nodes harvested was 36. Sites of nodal metastases were the following: recurrent nodal chain in 42 patients, celiac in 20, both recurrent and celiac in 4, and paratracheal in 1. Median length of follow-up was 66 months. The 5-year overall survival for the entire cohort was 25%. The 5-year overall survival was significantly higher with earlier T-status, (pathologic tumor [pT]1/T2 vs pT3/T4; 62% vs 15%, p = 0.006). Thirteen patients who had nonregional nodal metastases without involvement of regional nodes (pN0) had a significant improvement in 5-year survival (67% vs 15%; p < 0.001). Patients with squamous cell carcinomas had higher 5-year survival compared with those with adenocarcinomas (42% vs 14%; p = 0.009). Patients treated with induction chemotherapy had prolonged 5-year survival (41%, p = 0.06) compared with those treated with adjuvant chemotherapy (11%) or no therapy (20%). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that chemotherapy treatment, squamous cell type, and early T stage (pT1/T2) are significant positive predictors of survival.

Surgical resection for patients with esophageal cancer associated with nonregional nodal metastases results in 25% survival at five years. Squamous histology, earlier T status, and perioperative chemotherapy are independent positive predictors of long-term survival.

During a 48-month period, patients with a spontaneous esophageal perforation were offered endoluminal esophageal stent placement as the initial therapy instead of operation. Excluded were patients with an esophageal malignancy or a chronic esophageal fistula. Silicone-coated stents were placed endoscopically using general anesthesia and fluoroscopy. Adequate drainage of infected areas was achieved. Leak occlusion was confirmed by esophagram.

Twenty-one esophageal stents were placed in 19 patients for spontaneous esophageal perforations. Associated endoscopic (n = 19) or surgical procedures (n = 9) were also simultaneously performed. Leak occlusion occurred in 17 patients (89%). Fifteen patients (79%) were able to initiate oral nutrition within 72 hours of stent placement. Two patients (10%) with a perforation extending across the gastroesophageal junction experienced a continued leak after stent placement and underwent operative repair. Stent migration in 4 patients (21%) required repositioning (n = 4) or replacement (n = 2). Stents were removed at a mean of 20 ± 15 days after placement. Hospital length of stay was 9 ± 12 days.

Endoluminal esophageal stent placement is an effective treatment of most spontaneous esophageal perforations. These stents result in rapid leak occlusion, provide the opportunity for early oral nutrition, may significantly reduce hospital length of stay, are removable, and avoid the potential morbidities of operative repair.

Among 565 patients with mediastinal lymph node enlargement, 37 had a history of extrathoracic carcinoma. The enlargement consisted in HMLNMs in 26 (15 men, 11 women), with a mean age of 57.6 (range 19-78) years. Surgical procedures were reviewed.

Diagnostic procedures, comprising mediastinoscopy in 9, anterior mediastinotomy in 2, and video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) in 4, were performed mainly because of unresectability due to diffuse and bilateral HMLNMs. Cancer location was breast in 6, kidney or prostate in 2 each, and bladder, rectum, testis, melanoma, and larynx in 1 each. Median survival was 21 months. Resection was performed in 11 patients, comprising posterolateral thoracotomy in 6, muscle sparing thoracotomy in 2, and VATS in 3. Seventeen involved LN stations were removed; of these, primary were kidney in 3, testis or thyroid in 2 each, and larynx, nasopharynx, and intestinum in 1 each. Five-year survival was 41.6% (median, 45 months).

HMLNMs of extrathoracic carcinoma may be isolated, probably in the context of a particular lymphatic mode of spread. Our experience demonstrates that operation is mainly diagnostic but resection may safely achieve local control of the disease and deserves being advocated in patients with isolated and resectable HMLNMs.

A total 246 patients who underwent LDLT were investigated.

Pulmonary malignant tumors after LDLT were observed in 12 (4.9%) of 246 patients studied. These patients included 9 tumor recurrences and 3 de novo malignancies. The frequency of pulmonary recurrence was 9.4% (9 of 96 patients) and that of pulmonary de novo malignancies including 2 primary lung cancer and 1 mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma, was 1.2% (3 of 246 patients). Four of 9 recurrent patients could undergo surgical resections and the survival range in patients who received surgery was 17 to 56 months with a mean of 36 months after LDLT; on the other hand, the survival range in patients that could not undergo a surgical resection was 4 to 26 months with a mean of 18 months. Among the de novo malignancies, only the MALT lymphoma patient could undergo a surgical resection. Repeated surgical resections of pulmonary malignant tumors could be performed in 3 patients and all these patients have been long-term survivors.

These results suggest a surgical resection of pulmonary malignancies including tumor recurrences or de novo malignancies after LDLT is a feasible procedure and may prolong survival in selected patients, even under immunosuppressive conditions.

Between February 1997 and January 2008, the transdiaphragmatic harvesting of the omentum was performed, using an original technique through a thoracotomy approach, in 45 patients. Forty-three patients (29 male, 14 female), considered at high risk for bronchial dehiscence, simultaneously underwent pneumonectomy and 2 patients (1 male, 1 female) were treated for an early postpneumonectomy bronchopleural fistula by the standard thoracotomy route. The omental flap was mobilized through a radial incision in the diaphragm avoiding an additional laparotomy. The only contraindication for this technique was a previous abdominal intervention. Duration of follow-up ranged between 6 and 102 months (median, 46).

There were no complications related to the omentoplasty. Major complications related to pneumonectomy occurred in 4 patients (9%). Perioperative mortality rate was 2.1% (1 of 45). The non-life threatening complication rate was 11.1% (5 of 45). Postoperative hospital stay ranged between 5 and 21 days (median, 8.3) in the 43 patients undergoing prophylactic omentoplasty and was 11 and 14 days, respectively, in the 2 patients receiving omentoplasty after bronchial dehiscence. No neoplastic recurrence on the bronchial stump or late fistula occurred during follow-up.

This technique of omental flap transposition for bronchial stump coverage through a thoracotomy is an effective method for the prevention and treatment of postpneumonectomy bronchopleural fistula. The amount of omentum obtained by this technique is appropriate for bronchial reinforcement but not for filling the pleural cavity. This procedure can be performed safely through thoracotomy access avoiding an additional laparotomy.

Data were retrospectively collected on patients who underwent pulmonary lobectomy at a single health system between August 1, 2003, and April 1, 2008. Age, sex, pulmonary function tests, preoperative and postoperative stages, pathologic diagnosis, anatomic resection, extent of lymph node sampling, surgical technique and duration, complications, blood loss, transfusion requirement, chest tube duration, length of hospital stay, 30-day readmission, and mortality rate were examined. The percentage of patients who underwent thoracoscopic lobectomy and their outcomes were then compared among three chronologic cohorts.

Three hundred sixty-four patients underwent pulmonary lobectomy (239 open; 99 thoracoscopic; 26 thoracoscopic converted to open). Baseline characteristics, staging, pathologic diagnosis, and anatomic resections were similar in the early, middle, and late cohorts. The percentage of thoracoscopic lobectomies increased from 16% to 49%, whereas open lobectomy decreased from 81% to 42% (p < 0.0001). The complication rate remained constant with the exception of air leaks lasting more than 7 days (9% versus 10% versus 2%; p = 0.02). Hospital length of stay (6 versus 5 versus 4 days; p < 0.0001) and chest tube duration (4 versus 3 versus 3 days; p < 0.0001) decreased and operative duration increased as more thoracoscopic lobectomies were performed. Blood loss, transfusion requirement, 30-day readmission, and 1-year survival were not significantly different among chronologic cohorts.

Established thoracic surgeons can safely incorporate thoracoscopic lobectomy with no increase in morbidity or mortality.

A retrospective nationwide study including 73 patients (mean age, 57.3 years; 58% males) who underwent a surgical lung biopsy for suspected interstitial disease in Iceland between 1986 and 2007 was conducted. Patient records and histologic specimens were reviewed. Before the surgical biopsy a transbronchial or computed tomography–guided biopsy had been performed in two thirds of the patients.

The complication rate for surgical lung biopsy was 16%, and 30-day operative mortality was 2.7%, both significantly higher in patients with preoperative respiratory failure. After the procedure, a definite histopathologic diagnosis was obtained in 81% of the patients. Usual interstitial pneumonia was the most common diagnosis (31%). The clinical diagnosis was changed for 73% of the patients, and in 53% of the patients the biopsy resulted in changes in treatment.

Surgical lung biopsy is a powerful tool for diagnosis of suspected interstitial lung disease. It results in a specific diagnosis for the majority of patients and changes in treatment for more than half. Operative morbidity and mortality are low but still significant, so patients should be carefully selected for the procedure, especially those with respiratory failure.

With approval from the Mayo Clinic Institutional Review Board, we identified all patients with fibrosing mediastinitis who underwent an operation for relief of pulmonary artery obstruction between 1980 and 2008. Perioperative data were collected using medical records and late follow-up surveys.

Operative procedures to bypass or reconstruct an obstructed pulmonary artery were performed in 5 patients. Patients' median age was 40 years (range, 27 to 51 years), and all patients were symptomatic and had right ventricular hypertension. In 3 patients, a double-outlet right ventricle was constructed using a valved conduit (porcine valved conduit, n = 1; aortic homograft, n = 2) from the right ventricle to the right pulmonary artery. Two patients required complete reconstruction of the pulmonary artery confluence using a pulmonary homograft in 1 patient and a hybrid technique of autologous pericardial reconstruction and intraoperative stenting in another patient. All patients had a reduction in right ventricular pressures after operation. One patient died perioperatively owing to respiratory failure; the remaining 4 patients were alive at a median follow-up of 7.4 years (range, 0.5 to 14.7 years). One patient required late balloon dilatation of the conduit and distal pulmonary arteries 10 years after initial operation, but the remaining conduits were widely patent at late follow-up. Late functional improvement was limited owing to other complications from mediastinal fibrosis or other comorbidities.

Treatment of pulmonary artery occlusion attributable to mediastinal fibrosis can be challenging. Successful operative strategies include both creation of a double-outlet right ventricle and complete reconstruction of the pulmonary artery confluence. Hybrid techniques of both conduit placement and stenting should also be considered for patients with occluded pulmonary arteries.

Patients suffering primary palmar hyperhidrosis were treated by either bilateral T2 to T3 thoracoscopic sympathectomy (n = 68) or by injection of botulinum toxin-A (n = 86). The groups were homogeneous for relevant demographic, physiologic, and clinical data. Quantification of sweat production was performed by Minor's iodine starch and glove tests. Subjective changes were assessed by quality of life questionnaires (Hyperhidrosis, Dermatology Life Quality Index, Short Form-36, Nottingham's Health Profile) and patient's satisfaction self-assessment. A cost comparison between groups was also carried out.

No operative mortality or major morbidity was recorded in either group. Minor's test showed a more significant reduction in the surgical group: +94% versus +63% at 6 months and +94% versus +30% at 12 months. Compensatory sweating was significantly greater and long-lasting in the surgical group. All subjective tests improved rapidly and significantly in both groups. After 6 months, results mildly worsened in the surgical group and more significantly in the botulinum group. Patient's satisfaction was initially greater in the botulinum group (p = 0.03), but after 6 months it significantly reversed (p = 0.04). Surgical treatment cost approximately as much as four botulinum treatments.

Thoracoscopic sympathectomy is superior to botulinum toxin-A injection. The greater initial costs and discomfort are offset by a greater reduction in compensatory sweating.

A retrospective review of patients undergoing TDL after cardiothoracic surgery (1992 through 2007) was done. Data on demographics including cardiac morphology, characteristics of chylous drainage, medical management, and post-TDL course were collected. When available, imaging studies of the upper body venous drainage vessels were examined.

Twenty patients (median age, 0.65 years; range, 0.03 to 11 years; weight, 7.0 kg; range, 2.6 to 30 kg) had a diagnosis of chylothorax made 8.5 days (range, 2 to 118 days) after initial operation. Median duration of pre-TDL medical management was 17.5 days (range, 7 to 69 days). Median drainage for 5 days preceding TDL was 34.5 mL · kg^–1 · d^–1 (range, 15 to 135 mL · kg^–1 · d^–1) with maximal output of 65 mL · kg^–1 · d^–1 (range, 30 to 200 mL · kg^–1 · d^–1). After TDL, there was a decrease in median drainage to 13 mL · kg^–1 · d^–1 (range, 4 to 160 mL · kg^–1 · d^–1; p = 0.003). Chest tubes were removed 8.5 days (range, 4 to 34 days) after TDL. There were 4 deaths (none attributed to TDL), 2 treatment failures (post-TDL chest tube drainage > 2 mL · kg^–1 · d^–1 > 14 days), and 2 recurrences (after initial chylothorax resolution and hospital discharge). Three patients had documented upper body venous thrombosis. Univariate analysis demonstrated thrombosis of upper body venous vessels (p = 0.02) and prolonged post-TDL chest tube drainage (p = 0.01) were risk factors for death, treatment failure, or chylothorax recurrence.

Thoracic duct ligation leads to a major reduction in chest tube drainage and prompt tube removal in most pediatric patients and should be considered early in refractory postoperative chylothorax. Patients with upper body venous thrombosis associated with chylothorax are at a high risk for failure of TDL and mortality.

Twenty-one consecutive patients, undergoing a valve procedure, were enrolled into this nonrandomized pilot study. The EmBlocker (Neurosonix Ltd) was positioned in 11 consecutive patients and activated for 1 minute (1.5 W/cm²) during seven selected aortic manipulations and for 10 minutes (0.5 W/cm²) intermittently after cross-clamp removal. Transcranial Doppler-based quantification of microembolic signals was performed in all patients.

The use of the EmBlocker showed a significant overall reduction of the cerebral microembolic signals of 53%.

The use of the EmBlocker during valve surgeries is associated with a reduction of perioperative cerebral microembolic signals. This new technology holds the potential to lower the risk of postoperative neurologic complications.

A saccular descending aortic aneurysm was made in 5 pigs experimentally. A stent graft was deployed to produce a proximal type I endoleak. Under fluoroscopy, the aorta was punctured with the spinal needle with the T-Fix plastic bar, and the plastic bar was deployed with a push rod. A sufficient number of T-Fix sutures were used until angiography revealed that the type I endoleak had disappeared.

No hemodynamic events occurred during the procedure. An average of 2.5 ± 0.6 T-Fix sutures were required to eliminate the endoleak. The experimental T-Fix repair was performed without any complications. A new method of repairing type I endoleaks for thoracic aortic aneurysms was successfully performed using the T-Fix system.

Although the T-Fix repair currently has some anatomic and clinical limitations, improvement of the device should lead to the increased use of this repair.