BACKGROUNDSurgical festoon management often entails aggressive dissection, flaps, unsightly scars, prolonged recovery, and high recurrence rates. The authors present outcomes with subjective and ...objective evaluation of an office-based, novel, minimally invasive (1-cm incision) festoon repair: mini-incision direct festoon access, cauterization, and excision (MIDFACE).METHODSCharts of 75 consecutive patients from 2007 to 2019 were evaluated. Photographs of 39 patients who met inclusionary criteria were evaluated by three expert physician graders for festoon and incision visibility (339 randomly scrambled preoperative and postoperative photographs taken with and without flash and from four different views: close-up, profile, full-frontal, and worm's eye) using paired t tests and Kruskal-Wallis tests for statistical evaluation. Surveys returned by 37 of 75 patients were evaluated for patient satisfaction and possible contributing factors to festoon formation or exacerbation.RESULTSThere were no major complications in the 75 patients who underwent MIDFACE. Physician grading of photographs of 39 patients (78 eyes, 35 women; four men; mean age, 58 ± 7.7 years) demonstrated statistically significant sustained improvement in festoon score postoperatively up to 12 years regardless of view or flash. Incision scores were the same preoperatively and postoperatively, indicating incisions could not be detected by photography. Average patient satisfaction score was 9.5 on a Likert scale of 0 to 10. Possible factors for festoon formation or exacerbation included genetics (51%), pets (51%), prior hyaluronic acid fillers (54%), neurotoxin (62%), facial surgery (40%), alcohol (49%), allergies (46%), and sun exposure (59%).CONCLUSIONMIDFACE repair results in sustained improvement of festoons with an office-based, minimally invasive procedure with high patient satisfaction, rapid recovery, and low recurrence.CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCETherapeutic, IV.
Surgical festoon management often entails aggressive dissection, flaps, unsightly scars, prolonged recovery, and high recurrence rates. The author presents outcomes with subjective and objective ...evaluation of an office-based novel, minimally invasive (1 cm incision) festoon repair: MIDFACE (Mini-Incision Direct Festoon Access, Cauterization and Excision).
Charts of 75 consecutive patients from 2007 to 2019 were evaluated. Photographs of 39 who met inclusionary criteria were evaluated by 3 expert physician graders for festoon and incision visibility (339 randomly scrambled preoperative and postoperative photographs taken with and without flash and from 4 different views-close-up, profile, full-frontal, and worm's eye) using paired student t-tests and Kruskal-Wallis tests for statistical evaluation. Surveys returned by 37 of 75 patients were evaluated for patient satisfaction and possible contributing factors to festoon formation or exacerbation.
There were no major complications in the 75 patients who underwent MIDFACE. Physician grading of 39 patients (78 eyes, 35 women; 4 men; mean 58±7.7 years) demonstrated statistically significant sustained improvement in festoon score postoperatively up to 12 years regardless of view or flash. Incision scores were the same pre- and post-op, indicating incisions could not be detected by photography. Average patient satisfaction was 9.5 on a Likert scale of 0-10. Possible factors for festoon formation or exacerbation included genetic (51%), pets (51%), prior hyaluronic acid fillers (54%), neurotoxin (62%), facial surgery (40%), alcohol (49%), allergies (46%), and sun exposure (59%).
MIDFACE repair results in sustained improvement of festoons with an office-based, minimally invasive procedure with high patient satisfaction, rapid recovery, and low recurrence.
The management of postoperative hyperglycemia is controversial and generally does not take into account pre-existing diabetes. We analyzed clinical and economic outcomes associated with postoperative ...hyperglycemia in cardiac surgery patients, stratifying by diabetes status.
Multicenter cohort study in 4,316 cardiac surgery patients operated on in 2010. Glucose was measured at 6-h intervals for 48 h postoperatively. Outcomes included cost, hospital length of stay (LOS), cardiac and respiratory complications, major infections, and death. Associations between maximum glucose levels and outcomes were assessed with multivariable regression and recycled prediction analyses.
In patients without diabetes, increasing glucose levels were associated with a gradual worsening of outcomes. In these patients, hyperglycemia (≥180 mg/dL) was associated with an additional cost of $3,192 (95% CI 1,972 to 4,456), an additional hospital LOS of 0.8 days (0.4 to 1.3), an increase in infections of 1.6% (0.5 to 2.8), and an increase in respiratory complications of 2.6% (0.0 to 5.3). However, among patients with insulin-treated diabetes, optimal outcomes were associated with glucose levels considered to be hyperglycemic (180 to 240 mg/dL). This level of hyperglycemia was associated with cost reductions of $6,225 (-12,886 to -222), hospital LOS reductions of 1.6 days (-3.7 to 0.4), infection reductions of 4.1% (-9.1 to 0.0), and reductions in respiratory complication of 12.5% (-22.4 to -3.0). In patients with non-insulin-treated diabetes, outcomes did not differ significantly when hyperglycemia was present.
Glucose levels <180 mg/dL are associated with better outcomes in most patients, but worse outcomes in patients with diabetes with a history of prior insulin use. These findings support further investigation of a stratified approach to the management of patients with stress-induced postoperative hyperglycemia based on prior diabetes status.
Abstract Background Health care–associated infections (HAIs) are the most common noncardiac complications after cardiac surgery and are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Current ...information about their economic burden is limited. Objectives This research was designed to determine the cost associated with major types of HAIs during the first 2 months after cardiac surgery. Methods Prospectively collected data from a multicenter, observational study of the Cardiothoracic Surgery Clinical Trials Network, in which patients were monitored for infections for 65 days after surgery, were merged with related financial data routinely collected by the University HealthSystem Consortium. Incremental length of stay (LOS) and cost associated with HAIs were estimated using generalized linear models, with adjustments for patient demographics, clinical history, baseline laboratory values, and surgery type. Results Among 4,320 cardiac surgery patients (mean age: 64 ± 13 years), 119 (2.8%) experienced a major HAI during the index hospitalization. The most common HAIs were pneumonia (48%), sepsis (20%), and Clostridium difficile colitis (18%). On average, the estimated incremental cost associated with a major HAI was nearly $38,000, of which 47% was related to intensive care unit services. The incremental LOS was 14 days. Overall, there were 849 readmissions; among these, 8.7% were attributed to major HAIs. The cost of readmissions due to major HAIs was, on average, nearly threefold that of readmissions not related to HAIs. Conclusions Hospital cost, LOS, and readmissions are strongly associated with HAIs. These associations suggest the potential for large reductions in costs if HAIs following cardiac surgery can be reduced. (Management Practices and the Risk of Infections Following Cardiac Surgery; NCT01089712 ).
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Mechanical left ventricular assist devices have been used as a bridge to cardiac transplantation, but not as long-term therapy. In this study of patients with severe heart failure who were not ...candidates for transplantation, left ventricular assist was compared with optimal medical therapy. The one-year survival rate was 52 percent in the device group and 25 percent in the medical-therapy group. The device permitted patients to be ambulatory and improved the quality of life.
In this study of patients with severe heart failure who were not candidates for transplantation, left ventricular assist was compared with optimal medical therapy. This study is an important step in the further development of artificial-heart technology.
Improving the survival and the quality of life of patients with end-stage heart failure has been the underlying goal of decades of research on mechanical circulatory-support devices. This effort was stimulated by the increasing prevalence of this disorder and its grave prognosis. Heart failure affects an estimated 4.7 million Americans, with 550,000 new cases diagnosed annually and annual cost estimates ranging from $10 billion to $40 billion.
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The aggregate five-year survival rate of patients with heart failure is approximately 50 percent,
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whereas the one-year mortality rate of those with advanced disease may exceed 50 percent.
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Patients with mild-to-moderate heart . . .
This analysis of the REMATCH Trial focuses on infection, which was an important source of morbidity and mortality. We use the information to suggest ways to decrease the incidence and effects of ...device-related infection.
Patients were randomized prospectively to receive left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) or optimal medical management (OMM) for end-stage heart failure. Infection variables included sepsis adjudicated as the cause of death; sepsis reported as a serious adverse event; percutaneous site or pocket infection; and pump housing, inflow- or outflow-tract infection. We compared the incidence and prevalence of events between groups and generated time-related descriptions.
Survival with LVAD (
n = 68 patients) was superior to OMM survival (
n = 61 patients) with a 47% decrease in risk of death (
p < 0.001), but the aggregate adverse event rate was greater for patients with LVADs (risk ratio, 2.29; 95% confidence interval, 1.85–2.84). Freedom from sepsis in patients with LVADs was 58% at 1 year and 48% at 2 years after implantation with superior survival in non-septic patients (60% vs 39% at 1 year and 38% vs 8% at 2 years in non-septic vs septic patients with LVADs,
p < 0.06). Percutaneous site or pocket infection did not affect survival (
p = 0.86). The hazard for onset of sepsis peaked within the first 3 weeks after implantation.
Survival is improved with permanent LVAD implantation compared with OMM therapy. However, infection causes substantial morbidity and mortality. Decreasing infections will increase survival and decrease morbidity in permanent LVAD recipients and will improve the risk-benefit ratio for permanent LVAD therapy.
Tricuspid valve annuloplasty (TA) during mitral valve repair (MVr) is associated with increased risk of permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation, but the magnitude of risk and long-term clinical ...consequences have not been firmly established.
This study assesses the incidence rates of PPM implantation after isolated MVr and following MVr with TA as well as the associated long-term clinical consequences of PPM implantation.
State-mandated hospital discharge databases of New York and California were queried for patients undergoing MVr (isolated or with concomitant TA) between 2004 and 2019. Patients were stratified by whether or not they received a PPM within 90 days of index surgery. After weighting by propensity score, survival, heart failure hospitalizations (HFHs), endocarditis, stroke, and reoperation were compared between patients with or without PPM.
A total of 32,736 patients underwent isolated MVr (n = 28,003) or MVr + TA (n = 4,733). Annual MVr + TA volumes increased throughout the study period (P < 0.001, trend), and PPM rates decreased (P < 0.001, trend). The incidence of PPM implantation <90 days after surgery was 7.7% for MVr and 14.0% for MVr + TA. In 90-day conditional landmark-weighted analyses, PPMs were associated with reduced long-term survival among MVr (HR: 1.96; 95% CI: 1.75-2.19; P < 0.001) and MVr + TA recipients (HR: 1.65; 95% CI: 1.28-2.14; P < 0.001). In both surgical groups, PPMs were also associated with an increased risk of HFH (HR: 1.56; 95% CI: 1.27-1.90; P < 0.001) and endocarditis (HR: 1.95; 95% CI: 1.52-2.51; P < 0.001), but not with stroke or reoperation.
Compared to isolated MVr, adding TA to MVr was associated with a higher risk of 90-day PPM implantation. In both surgical groups, PPM implantation was associated with an increase in mortality, HFH, and endocarditis.
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Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is the most common revascularization approach for the treatment of multi-vessel coronary artery disease. While the internal mammary artery is nearly universally ...used to bypass the left anterior descending coronary artery, autologous saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) are still the most frequently used conduits to grafts the remaining coronary artery targets. Long-term failure of these grafts, however, continues to limit the benefits of surgery.
The Cardiothoracic Surgical Trials Network trial of the safety and effectiveness of a Venous External Support (VEST) device is a randomized, multicenter, within-patient trial comparing VEST-supported versus unsupported saphenous vein grafts in patients undergoing CABG. Key inclusion criteria are the need for CABG with a planned internal mammary artery to the left anterior descending and two or more saphenous vein grafts to other coronary arteries. The primary efficacy endpoint of the trial is SVG intimal hyperplasia (plaque + media) area assessed by intravascular ultrasound at 12 months post randomization. Occluded grafts are accounted for in the analysis of the primary endpoint. Secondary confirmatory endpoints are lumen diameter uniformity and graft failure (>50% stenosis) assessed by coronary angiography at 12 months. The safety endpoints are the occurrence of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events and hospitalization within 5 years from randomization.
The results of the VEST trial will determine whether the VEST device can safely limit SVG intimal hyperplasia in patients undergoing CABG as treatment for coronary atherosclerotic disease.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
To analyze patient risk factors and processes of care associated with secondary surgical-site infection (SSI) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).
Data were collected prospectively between ...February and October 2010 for consenting adult patients undergoing CABG with saphenous vein graft (SVG) conduits. Patients who developed a deep or superficial SSI of the leg or groin within 65 days of CABG were compared with those who did not develop a secondary SSI.
Among 2174 patients identified, 65 (3.0%) developed a secondary SSI. Median time to diagnosis was 16 days (interquartile range 11-29) with the majority (86%) diagnosed after discharge. Gram-positive bacteria were most common. Readmission was more common in patients with a secondary SSI (34% vs 17%, P < .01). After adjustment, an open SVG harvest approach was associated with an increased risk of secondary SSI (adjusted hazard ratio HR, 2.12; 95% confidence interval CI, 1.28-3.48). Increased body mass index (adjusted HR, 1.08, 95% CI, 1.04-1.12) and packed red blood cell transfusions (adjusted HR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.05-1.22) were associated with a greater risk of secondary SSI. Antibiotic type, antibiotic duration, and postoperative hyperglycemia were not associated with risk of secondary SSI.
Secondary SSI after CABG continues to be an important source of morbidity. This serious complication often occurs after discharge and is associated with open SVG harvesting, larger body mass, and blood transfusions. Patients with a secondary SSI have longer lengths of stay and are readmitted more frequently.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
After 2 years of follow-up in a randomized trial involving 301 patients with moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation undergoing CABG, the addition of mitral-valve repair did not improve left ...ventricular function or remodeling.
Ischemic mitral regurgitation of moderate severity develops in approximately 10% of patients after myocardial infarction.
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Mitral regurgitation is caused by the displacement of papillary muscle, leaflet tethering, reduced closing forces, and annular dilatation. Over time, the condition has an adverse effect on the rate of survival free of heart failure.
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Because most patients with ischemic mitral regurgitation have multivessel coronary artery disease requiring revascularization, surgeons have to consider whether to add mitral-valve repair to coronary-artery bypass grafting (CABG).
The appropriate surgical management of moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation at the time of CABG remains controversial. Some experts advocate revascularization alone . . .
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