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Journal of the American Heart... Dec 2021Background Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is a common finding in adults with congenital heart disease referred for pulmonary valve replacement (PVR). However, indications... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Background Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is a common finding in adults with congenital heart disease referred for pulmonary valve replacement (PVR). However, indications for combined valve surgery remain controversial. This study aimed to evaluate early results of concomitant tricuspid valve intervention (TVI) at the time of PVR. Methods and Results Observational studies comparing TVI+PVR and isolated PVR were identified by a systematic search of published research. Random-effects meta-analysis was performed, comparing outcomes between the 2 groups. Six studies involving 749 patients (TVI+PVR, 278 patients; PVR, 471 patients) met the eligibility criteria. In the pooled analysis, both TVI+PVR and PVR reduced TR grade, pulmonary regurgitation grade, right ventricular end-diastolic volume, and right ventricular end-systolic volumes. TVI+PVR, but not PVR, was associated with a decrease in tricuspid valve annulus size (mean difference, -6.43 mm, 95% CI, -10.59 to -2.27; =0.010). Furthermore, TVI+PVR was associated with a larger reduction in TR grade compared with PVR (mean difference, -0.40; 95% CI, -0.75 to -0.05; =0.031). No evidence could be established for an effect of either treatment on right ventricular ejection fraction or echocardiographic assessment of right ventricular dilatation and dysfunction. There was no evidence for a difference in hospital mortality or reoperation for TR. Conclusions While both strategies are effective in reducing TR and right ventricular volumes, routine TVI+PVR can reduce TR grade to a larger extent than isolated PVR. Further studies are needed to identify the subgroups of patients who might benefit most from combined valve surgery.
Topics: Adult; Heart Defects, Congenital; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation; Humans; Pulmonary Valve; Tricuspid Valve
PubMed: 34873914
DOI: 10.1161/JAHA.121.022909 -
PloS One 2021In the last 25 years, numerous tissue engineered heart valve (TEHV) strategies have been studied in large animal models. To evaluate, qualify and summarize all available... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
In the last 25 years, numerous tissue engineered heart valve (TEHV) strategies have been studied in large animal models. To evaluate, qualify and summarize all available publications, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis. We identified 80 reports that studied TEHVs of synthetic or natural scaffolds in pulmonary position (n = 693 animals). We identified substantial heterogeneity in study designs, methods and outcomes. Most importantly, the quality assessment showed poor reporting in randomization and blinding strategies. Meta-analysis showed no differences in mortality and rate of valve regurgitation between different scaffolds or strategies. However, it revealed a higher transvalvular pressure gradient in synthetic scaffolds (11.6 mmHg; 95% CI, [7.31-15.89]) compared to natural scaffolds (4,67 mmHg; 95% CI, [3,94-5.39]; p = 0.003). These results should be interpreted with caution due to lack of a standardized control group, substantial study heterogeneity, and relatively low number of comparable studies in subgroup analyses. Based on this review, the most adequate scaffold model is still undefined. This review endorses that, to move the TEHV field forward and enable reliable comparisons, it is essential to define standardized methods and ways of reporting. This would greatly enhance the value of individual large animal studies.
Topics: Animals; Heart Valve Prosthesis; Models, Animal; Pulmonary Valve; Tissue Engineering
PubMed: 34610023
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0258046 -
Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine 2021Postoperative pulmonary complications remain a leading cause of increased morbidity, mortality, longer hospital stays, and increased costs after cardiac surgery;...
Comparative Evaluation of the Incidence of Postoperative Pulmonary Complications After Minimally Invasive Valve Surgery vs. Full Sternotomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials and Propensity Score-Matched Studies.
Postoperative pulmonary complications remain a leading cause of increased morbidity, mortality, longer hospital stays, and increased costs after cardiac surgery; therefore, our study aims to analyze whether minimally invasive valve surgery (MIVS) for both aortic and mitral valves can improve pulmonary function and reduce the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications when compared with the full median sternotomy (FS) approach. A comprehensive systematic literature research was performed for studies comparing MIVS and FS up to February 2021. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and propensity score-matching (PSM) studies comparing early respiratory function and pulmonary complications after MIVS and FS were extracted and analyzed. Secondary outcomes included intra- and postoperative outcomes. A total of 10,194 patients from 30 studies (6 RCTs and 24 PSM studies) were analyzed. Early mortality differed significantly between the groups (MIVS 1.2 vs. FS 1.9%; = 0.005). Compared with FS, MIVS significantly lowered the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications (odds ratio 0.79, 95% confidence interval [0.67, 0.93]; = 0.004) and improved early postoperative respiratory function status (mean difference -24.83 [-29.90, -19.76]; < 0.00001). Blood transfusion amount was significantly lower after MIVS ( < 0.02), whereas cardiopulmonary bypass time and aortic cross-clamp time were significantly longer after MIVS ( < 0.00001). Our study showed that minimally invasive valve surgery decreases the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications and improves postoperative respiratory function status.
PubMed: 34497838
DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.724178 -
Annals of Cardiothoracic Surgery Jul 2021The Ross procedure involves autograft transplantation of the native pulmonary valve into the aortic position and reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract...
BACKGROUND
The Ross procedure involves autograft transplantation of the native pulmonary valve into the aortic position and reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) with a homograft. The operation offers the advantages of a native valve with excellent hemodynamic performance, the avoidance of anticoagulation, and growth potential. Conversely, the operation is technically demanding and imposes the risk of turning single-valve disease into double-valve disease. This systematic review reports outcomes of pediatric patients undergoing the Ross procedure.
METHODS
An electronic search identified studies reporting outcomes on pediatric patients (mean age <18 years, max age <21 years) undergoing the Ross procedure. Long-term outcomes, including early mortality, late mortality, sudden unexpected unexplained death, reoperation due to failure of the pulmonary autograft or RVOT reconstruction, thromboembolic events, bleeding events, and endocarditis-related complications, were evaluated.
RESULTS
Upon review of 2,035 publications, 30 studies and 3,156 pediatric patients were included. Patients had a median age of 9.5 years and median follow-up period of 5.7 years. Early mortality rates varied from 0.0 to 17.0% and were increased in the neonatal population. Late mortality rates were much lower (0.04-1.83%/year). Reoperation due to pulmonary autograft failure occurred at rates of 0.37-2.81%/year and reoperation due to RVOT reconstruction failure was required at rates of 0.34-4.76%/year. Thromboembolic, bleeding, and endocarditis events were reported to occur at rates of 0.00-0.58, 0.00-0.39, and 0.00-1.68%/year, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
The Ross operation offers a durable aortic valve replacement (AVR) option in the pediatric population that offers favorable survival, excellent hemodynamics, growth potential, decreased risk of complications, and avoidance of anticoagulation. Larger multi-institutional registries focusing on pediatric patients are necessary to provide more robust evidence to further support use of the Ross procedure in this population.
PubMed: 34422554
DOI: 10.21037/acs-2020-rp-23 -
Annals of Cardiothoracic Surgery Jul 2021The management of aortic valve disease is becoming increasingly complicated with the evolution of treatment options available to cardiac surgeons and cardiologist....
BACKGROUND
The management of aortic valve disease is becoming increasingly complicated with the evolution of treatment options available to cardiac surgeons and cardiologist. Pulmonary autograft replacement of the aortic valve, commonly known as the Ross procedure, involves excision of the pulmonary valve from the right ventricular outflow tract and implantation in the aortic position. This systematic review aims to evaluate the long-term outcomes, following the Ross procedure.
METHODS
An electronic search strategy queried five online medical referencing databases from inception to 21 August 2020. All studies detailing the long-term outcomes of adults undergoing the Ross procedure were included. A random effects model was used to determine pooled continuous data. Enhanced secondary survival analysis was performed on reconstructed individual patient data.
RESULTS
Twenty-three studies were included in the qualitative synthesis, including a total of 6,278 patients with a mean follow-up duration of 6.0±2.8 years. Long-term survival was 95.6%, 91.8%, 86.3% and 80.5% at five, ten, fifteen and twenty years, respectively. Freedom from autograft reoperation was 95.7%, 91.2%, 84.9% and 76.1% at five, ten, fifteen and twenty years, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
When performed in experienced centres and for appropriately selected patients, the Ross procedure represents a durable replacement of the aortic valve with excellent long-term survival.
PubMed: 34422553
DOI: 10.21037/acs-2021-rp-30 -
BMC Pulmonary Medicine Jul 2021Partnership between anesthesia providers and proceduralists is essential to ensure patient safety and optimize outcomes. A renewed importance of this axiom has emerged...
Partnership between anesthesia providers and proceduralists is essential to ensure patient safety and optimize outcomes. A renewed importance of this axiom has emerged in advanced bronchoscopy and interventional pulmonology. While anesthesia-induced atelectasis is common, it is not typically clinically significant. Advanced guided bronchoscopic biopsy is an exception in which anesthesia protocols substantially impact outcomes. Procedure success depends on careful ventilation to avoid excessive motion, reduce distortion causing computed tomography (CT)-to-body-divergence, stabilize dependent areas, and optimize breath-hold maneuvers to prevent atelectasis. Herein are anesthesia recommendations during guided bronchoscopy. An FiO of 0.6 to 0.8 is recommended for pre-oxygenation, maintained at the lowest tolerable level for the entire the procedure. Expeditious intubation (not rapid-sequence) with a larger endotracheal tube and non-depolarizing muscle relaxants are preferred. Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) of up to 10-12 cm HO and increased tidal volumes help to maintain optimal lung inflation, if tolerated by the patient as determined during recruitment. A breath-hold is required to reduce motion artifact during intraprocedural imaging (e.g., cone-beam CT, digital tomosynthesis), timed at the end of a normal tidal breath (peak inspiration) and held until pressures equilibrate and the imaging cycle is complete. Use of the adjustable pressure-limiting valve is critical to maintain the desired PEEP and reduce movement during breath-hold maneuvers. These measures will reduce atelectasis and CT-to-body divergence, minimize motion artifact, and provide clearer, more accurate images during guided bronchoscopy. Following these recommendations will facilitate a successful lung biopsy, potentially accelerating the time to treatment by avoiding additional biopsies. Application of these methods should be at the discretion of the anesthesiologist and the proceduralist; best medical judgement should be used in all cases to ensure the safety of the patient.
Topics: Anesthesia, General; Breath Holding; Bronchoscopy; Humans; Intraoperative Complications; Lung; Positive-Pressure Respiration; Pulmonary Atelectasis; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 34273966
DOI: 10.1186/s12890-021-01584-6 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Jun 2021Infective Endocarditis (IE) is associated with significant mortality. Interestingly, IE in patients with liver transplantation has not been adequately described. The aim... (Review)
Review
Infective Endocarditis (IE) is associated with significant mortality. Interestingly, IE in patients with liver transplantation has not been adequately described. The aim of this review was to systematically review all published cases of IE in liver transplant recipients and describe their epidemiology, microbiology, clinical characteristics, treatment and outcomes. A systematic review of PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane Library (through 2 January 2021) for studies providing epidemiological, clinical, microbiological, treatment data and outcomes of IE in liver transplant recipients was conducted. A total of 39 studies, containing data for 62 patients, were included in the analysis. The most common causative pathogens were gram-positive microorganisms in 69.4%, fungi in 25.8%, and gram-negative microorganisms in 9.7% of cases, while in 9.3% IE was culture-negative. The aortic valve was the most commonly infected valve followed by mitral, tricuspid and the pulmonary valve. Aminoglycosides, vancomycin and aminopenicillins were the most commonly used antimicrobials, and surgical management was performed in half of the cases. Clinical cure was noted in 57.4%, while overall mortality was 43.5%. To conclude, this systematic review thoroughly describes IE in liver transplant recipients and provides information on epidemiology, clinical presentation, treatment and outcomes.
PubMed: 34208756
DOI: 10.3390/jcm10122660 -
Four-dimensional flow cardiovascular magnetic resonance in tetralogy of Fallot: a systematic review.Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic... May 2021Patients with repaired Tetralogy of Fallot (rTOF) often develop cardiovascular dysfunction and require regular imaging to evaluate deterioration and time interventions... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Patients with repaired Tetralogy of Fallot (rTOF) often develop cardiovascular dysfunction and require regular imaging to evaluate deterioration and time interventions such as pulmonary valve replacement. Four-dimensional flow cardiovascular magnetic resonance (4D flow CMR) enables detailed assessment of flow characteristics in all chambers and great vessels. We performed a systematic review of intra-cardiac 4D flow applications in rTOF patients, to examine clinical utility and highlight optimal methods for evaluating rTOF patients.
METHODS
A comprehensive literature search was undertaken in March 2020 on Google Scholar and Scopus. A modified version of the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) tool was used to assess and score the applicability of each study. Important clinical outcomes were assessed including similarities and differences.
RESULTS
Of the 635 articles identified, 26 studies met eligibility for systematic review. None of these were below 59% applicability on the modified CASP score. Studies could be broadly classified into four groups: (i) pilot studies, (ii) development of new acquisition methods, (iii) validation and (vi) identification of novel flow features. Quantitative comparison with other modalities included 2D phase contrast CMR (13 studies) and echocardiography (4 studies). The 4D flow study applications included stroke volume (18/26;69%), regurgitant fraction (16/26;62%), relative branch pulmonary artery flow(4/26;15%), systolic peak velocity (9/26;35%), systemic/pulmonary total flow ratio (6/26;23%), end diastolic and end systolic volume (5/26;19%), kinetic energy (5/26;19%) and vorticity (2/26;8%).
CONCLUSIONS
4D flow CMR shows potential in rTOF assessment, particularly in retrospective valve tracking for flow evaluation, velocity profiling, intra-cardiac kinetic energy quantification, and vortex visualization. Protocols should be targeted to pathology. Prospective, randomized, multi-centered studies are required to validate these new characteristics and establish their clinical use.
Topics: Heart Ventricles; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Predictive Value of Tests; Prospective Studies; Retrospective Studies; Tetralogy of Fallot
PubMed: 34011372
DOI: 10.1186/s12968-021-00745-0 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... May 2021The impact of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) following heart valve surgery is uncertain. We conducted an update of this systematic review and a meta-analysis... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
The impact of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) following heart valve surgery is uncertain. We conducted an update of this systematic review and a meta-analysis to assess randomised controlled trial evidence for the use of exercise-based CR following heart valve surgery.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the benefits and harms of exercise-based CR compared with no exercise training in adults following heart valve surgery or repair, including both percutaneous and surgical procedures. We considered CR programmes consisting of exercise training with or without another intervention (such as an intervention with a psycho-educational component).
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Clinical Trials (CENTRAL), in the Cochrane Library; MEDLINE (Ovid); Embase (Ovid); the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL; EBSCO); PsycINFO (Ovid); Latin American Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS; Bireme); and Conference Proceedings Citation Index-Science (CPCI-S) on the Web of Science (Clarivate Analytics) on 10 January 2020. We searched for ongoing trials from ClinicalTrials.gov, Clinical-trials.com, and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform on 15 May 2020.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomised controlled trials that compared exercise-based CR interventions with no exercise training. Trial participants comprised adults aged 18 years or older who had undergone heart valve surgery for heart valve disease (from any cause) and had received heart valve replacement or heart valve repair. Both percutaneous and surgical procedures were included.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently extracted data. We assessed the risk of systematic errors ('bias') by evaluating risk domains using the 'Risk of bias' (RoB2) tool. We assessed clinical and statistical heterogeneity. We performed meta-analyses using both fixed-effect and random-effects models. We used the GRADE approach to assess the quality of evidence for primary outcomes (all-cause mortality, all-cause hospitalisation, and health-related quality of life).
MAIN RESULTS
We included six trials with a total of 364 participants who have had open or percutaneous heart valve surgery. For this updated review, we identified four additional trials (216 participants). One trial had an overall low risk of bias, and we classified the remaining five trials as having some concerns. Follow-up ranged across included trials from 3 to 24 months. Based on data at longest follow-up, a total of nine participants died: 4 CR versus 5 control (relative risk (RR) 0.83, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.26 to 2.68; 2 trials, 131 participants; GRADE quality of evidence very low). No trials reported on cardiovascular mortality. One trial reported one cardiac-related hospitalisation in the CR group and none in the control group (RR 2.72, 95% CI 0.11 to 65.56; 1 trial, 122 participants; GRADE quality of evidence very low). We are uncertain about health-related quality of life at completion of the intervention in CR compared to control (Short Form (SF)-12/36 mental component: mean difference (MD) 1.28, 95% CI -1.60 to 4.16; 2 trials, 150 participants; GRADE quality of evidence very low; and SF-12/36 physical component: MD 2.99, 95% CI -5.24 to 11.21; 2 trials, 150 participants; GRADE quality of evidence very low), or at longest follow-up (SF-12/36 mental component: MD -1.45, 95% CI -4.70 to 1.80; 2 trials, 139 participants; GRADE quality of evidence very low; and SF-12/36 physical component: MD -0.87, 95% CI -3.57 to 1.83; 2 trials, 139 participants; GRADE quality of evidence very low). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Due to lack of evidence and the very low quality of available evidence, this updated review is uncertain about the impact of exercise-CR in this population in terms of mortality, hospitalisation, and health-related quality of life. High-quality (low risk of bias) evidence on the impact of CR is needed to inform clinical guidelines and routine practice.
Topics: Adult; Aortic Valve; Cardiac Rehabilitation; Exercise; Exercise Tolerance; Female; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Mitral Valve; Physical Conditioning, Human; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Resistance Training; Return to Work; Time Factors
PubMed: 33962483
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD010876.pub3 -
Langenbeck's Archives of Surgery Aug 2021Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is frequently seen in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Long-standing GERD may cause esophagitis, long-segment strictures,...
INTRODUCTION
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is frequently seen in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Long-standing GERD may cause esophagitis, long-segment strictures, and Barrett's esophagus and may worsen pre-existing pulmonary fibrosis with an increased risk of end-stage lung disease. Surgical treatment of recalcitrant GERD remains controversial. The purpose of this systematic review was to summarize the current data on surgical treatment of recalcitrant GERD in SSc patients.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A systematic literature review according to PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines. PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases were consulted.
RESULTS
A total of 101 patients were included from 7 studies. The age ranged from 34 to 61 years and the majority were females (73.5%). Commonly reported symptoms were heartburn (92%), regurgitation (77%), and dysphagia (74%). Concurrent pulmonary disease was diagnosed in 58% of patients. Overall, 63 patients (62.4%) underwent open fundoplication, 17 (16.8%) laparoscopic fundoplication, 15 (14.9%) Roux en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), and 6 (5.9%) esophagectomy. The postoperative follow-up ranged from 12 to 65 months. Recurrent symptoms were described in up to 70% and 30% of patients undergoing fundoplication and RYGB, respectively. Various symptoms were reported postoperatively depending on the type of surgical procedures, anatomy of the valve, need for esophageal lengthening, and follow-up.
CONCLUSIONS
The treatment of recalcitrant GERD in SSc patients is challenging. Esophagectomy should be reserved to selected patients. Minimally invasive RYGB appears feasible and safe with promising preliminary short-term results. Current evidence is scarce while a definitive indication about the most appropriate surgical treatment is lacking.
Topics: Barrett Esophagus; Female; Fundoplication; Gastric Bypass; Gastroesophageal Reflux; Humans; Laparoscopy; Scleroderma, Systemic; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 33611653
DOI: 10.1007/s00423-021-02118-8