Objective The study objective was to examine the late results of mitral valve repair with chordal replacement with polytetrafluoroethylene sutures. Methods From 1986 to 2004, 606 consecutive patients ...with degenerative mitral regurgitation had mitral valve repair with chordal replacement with polytetrafluoroethylene sutures. Patients' mean age was 57 years, and 73.6% were men. Isolated prolapse of the anterior leaflet was present in 17.6% of patients, isolated posterior leaflet prolapse was present in 29.5% of patients, and bileaflet prolapse was present in 52.9% of patients. Prolapse was corrected by creating 2 to 38 neochords of polytetrafluoroethylene sutures (mean, 13 ± 9 per patient). The mean follow-up was 10.1 years, and 96% of the patients had multiple echocardiographic studies over the years. Results There were 5 early and 106 late deaths. Age, diabetes, hypertension, chronic obstructive lung disease, New York Heart Association functional classes III and IV, and ejection fraction less than 40% were independent predictors of mortality. At 18 years, freedom from reoperation on the mitral valve was 90.2% ± 2.4%, freedom from recurrent severe mitral regurgitation was 91.0% ± 2.7%, and freedom from moderate or severe mitral regurgitation was 67.5% ± 4.2%. Cox regression analysis revealed that isolated prolapse of the anterior leaflet was predictive of reoperation, and that older age, hypertension, and left ventricular ejection fraction less than 40% were predictive of recurrent moderate or severe mitral regurgitation. Conclusions Chordal replacement with polytetrafluoroethylene sutures expands the indication of repair to patients with prolapse of multiple segments. Valve function remains stable in most patients during the first 2 decades of follow-up.
The Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (INTERMACS) scale classifies advanced heart failure patients according to hemodynamic status. This study assessed the usefulness ...of the INTERMACS scale to predict outcomes in advanced heart failure patients undergoing mechanical circulatory support (MCS).
Fifty-four patients underwent MCS implantation from 2001 to 2007. Group A included 27 patients at INTERMACS level 1 and 2. Group B included 27 at INTERMACS level 3 and 4. Patient characteristics pre-MCS implant, incidence of complications during support, and survival between groups were compared.
Before MCS implantation, Group A had significantly lower cardiac index, mean arterial blood pressure, systolic pulmonary pressure, higher central venous pressure, and lower urine output (p < .05). After MCS, Group A had a lower incidence of infections (17% vs 46%; odds ratio OR, 0.25, 95% confidence interval CI, 0.06-0.6) and a higher incidence of liver injury (39% vs 11%; OR 5, 95% CI, 1.15-25). Mortality at 30 days was higher in Group A (38% vs 11%; OR, 4.8; 95% CI, 1.1-21); however, the mortality after 30 days post-MCS support was significantly higher in Group B (0% vs 18%, p < .05). Cox model showed overall survival was poorer in Group A (hazard ratio, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.1-7).
INTERMACS levels identified patients at risk for developing complications after MCS support. INTERMACS is a valid score system that should be considered as a tool to assess patient profile and predict complications and mortality after MCS implantation.
Three-dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is more accurate than two-dimensional (2D) TEE in the qualitative assessment of mitral valve (MV) prolapse (MVP). However, the accuracy ...of 3D TEE in quantifying MV anatomy is less well studied, and its clinical relevance for MV repair is unknown.
The number of prolapsed segments, leaflet heights, and annular dimensions were assessed using 2D and 3D TEE and compared with surgical measurements in 50 patients (mean age, 61 ± 11 years) who underwent MV repair for mainly advanced MVP.
Three-dimensional TEE was more accurate (92%-100%) than 2D TEE (80%-96%) in identifying prolapsed segments. Three-dimensional TEE and intraoperative measurements of leaflet height did not differ significantly, while 2D TEE significantly overestimated the height of the posterior segment P1 and the anterior segment A2. Three-dimensional TEE quantitative MV measurements were related to surgical technique: patients with more complex MVP (one vs two to four vs five or more prolapsed segments) showed progressive enlargement of annular anteroposterior (31 ± 5 vs 34 ± 4 vs 37 ± 6 mm, respectively, P = .02) and commissural diameters (40 ± 6 vs 44 ± 5 vs 50 ± 10 mm, respectively, P = .04) and needed increasingly complex MV repair with larger annuloplasty bands (60 ± 13 vs 67 ± 9 vs 72 ± 10 mm, P = .02) and more neochordae (7 ± 3 vs 12 ± 5 vs 26 ± 6, P < .01).
Measurements of MV anatomy on 3D TEE are accurate compared with surgical measurements. Quantitative MV characteristics, as assessed by 3D TEE, determined the complexity of MV repair.
Background Studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of the transradial approach for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were carried out mainly before the widespread use of stents and ...glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibitors. We sought to determine the association between the choice of the vascular access site and procedural complications after PCI performed with routine stenting and GP IIb/IIIa inhibition. Methods The data source was a prospective registry of 13,499 consecutive cases of PCI at the University Health Network, Toronto, Canada, from April 2000 to September 2006. Logistic regression was used to calculate the probability of selection to the radial access group. Using propensity score methodology, 3,198 patients with femoral access were randomly matched to 3,198 patients with radial access based on clinical, angiographic, and procedural characteristics. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent predictors of access site–related complications. Major adverse cardiac event was defined as death, myocardial infarction, abrupt vessel closure, or coronary artery bypass surgery. Results Use of the transradial approach was associated with fewer vascular access complications (1.5% vs 0.6%, P < .001) and a shorter length of hospital stay. Multivariable analysis revealed transradial access (OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.2-0.7) to be an independent predictor of lower risk, whereas primary PCI (OR 4.36, 95% CI 1.4, 13), recent myocardial infarction (OR 2.0 95% CI 1.2, 3.4), age (per 10 years increase: OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.1-1.7) and female gender (0R 2.78 95% CI 1.7, 4.6) were independent predictors of a higher risk of access site complications. Conclusions Use of transradial access for PCI is safe and is independently associated with a reduced rate of in-hospital access site complications and reduced length of hospital stay.
Background Benchmarking the performance of providers is an increasing priority in many health care economies. In-hospital mortality represents an important and uniformly assessed measure on which to ...examine the outcome of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Most existing prediction models of in-hospital mortality after PCI were derived from 1990s data, and their current relevance is uncertain. Methods From consecutive PCIs performed during 2000-2008, derivation and validation cohorts of 10,694 and 5,347 patients, respectively, were analyzed. Logistic regression for in-hospital death yielded integer risk weights for each independent predictor variable. These were summed for each patient to create the Toronto PCI risk score. Results Death occurred in 1.3% of patients. Independent predictors with associated risk weights in parentheses were as follows: age 40 to 49 y (1), 50 to 59 y (2), 60 to 69 y (3), 70 to 79 y (4), and ≥80 y (5); diabetes (2); renal insufficiency (2); New York Heart Association class 4 (3); left ventricular ejection fraction <20% (3); myocardial infarction in the previous month (3); multivessel disease (1); left main disease (2); rescue or facilitated PCI (3); primary PCI (4); and shock (6). The model had a receiver operator curve of 0.96 and Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit P = .16 in the validation set. Four previously published external models were tested in the entire data set. Three models had ROC curves significantly less than the Toronto PCI score, and all 4 showed significant levels of imprecision. Conclusions The Toronto PCI mortality score is an accurate and contemporary predictive tool that permits evaluation of risk-stratified outcomes and aids counseling of patients undergoing PCI.
Abstract Background Radial artery occlusion occurs after transradial cardiac catheterization or percutaneous coronary intervention. Although use of a sheath larger than the artery is a risk factor ...for radial artery occlusion, radial artery size is not routinely measured. We aimed to identify bedside predictors of radial artery diameter. Methods Using ultrasound, we prospectively measured radial, ulnar, and brachial artery diameters of 130 patients who presented for elective percutaneous coronary intervention or diagnostic angiography. Using prespecified candidate variables we used multivariable linear regression to identify predictors of radial artery diameter. Results Mean internal diameters of the right radial, ulnar, and brachial arteries were 2.44 ± 0.60, 2.14 ± 0.53, and 4.50 ± 0.88 mm, respectively. Results for the left arm were similar. The right radial artery was larger in men than in women (2.59 vs 1.91 mm; P < 0.001) and smaller in patients of South Asian descent (2.00 vs 2.52 mm; P < 0.001). Radial artery diameter correlated with wrist circumference ( r2 = 0.26; P < 0.001) and shoe size ( r2 = 0.25; P < 0.001) and weakly correlated with height ( r2 = 0.14; P < 0.001), weight ( r2 = 0.18; P < 0.001), body mass index ( r2 = 0.07; P = 0.002), and body surface area ( r2 = 0.22; P < 0.001). The independent predictors of a larger radial artery were wrist circumference ( r2 = 0.26; P < 0.001), male sex ( r2 = 0.06; P < 0.001), and non-South Asian ancestry ( r2 = 0.05; P = 0.006; final model r2 = 0.37; P < 0.001). A risk score using these variables predicted radial artery diameter (c-statistic, 0.71). Conclusions Wrist circumference, male sex, and non-South Asian ancestry are independent predictors of increased radial artery diameter. A risk score using these variables can identify patients with small radial arteries.
Abstract Background Sex differences in the management of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) have not been well studied. Methods We examined mortality and ...revascularization rates of 9750 patients with CS between 1992 and 2008 in the Ontario Myocardial Infarction Database. Men and women were compared in the entire cohort and in subgroups divided by age (aged < 75 years vs aged ≥ 75 years) and revascularization availability at presenting hospital. Logistic regression was used to determine the adjusted effect of sex on mortality and to determine predictors of revascularization. Results The incidence of CS was higher in women (3.7% of female vs 2.7% of male AMI patients; P < 0.001). Women with CS were older than men (mean age: 75.5 vs 71.1 years; P < 0.001) and less likely to present to revascularization-capable sites (16% vs 19.2%; P < 0.001). Unadjusted 1-year mortality rates were higher in women (80.3% vs 75.4%; P < 0.001). Women were less likely to be revascularized (12.6% vs 17.6%; P < 0.001) and less likely to be transferred when they presented to nonrevascularization sites (11.3% vs 14.2%; P < 0.001). The strongest predictor of revascularization was presentation to a revascularization-capable site (odds ratio, 17.69; P < 0.001). After regression adjustment, there were no significant differences in mortality or revascularization between the sexes. Conclusion Women with CS are older than men with CS and are less likely to present to revascularization-capable sites. This accounts for the lower unadjusted revascularization rates among women compared with men. However, there are no significant sex-based differences in adjusted mortality rates.
Objective Our objective was to examine the clinical outcomes of aortic valve replacement with the Toronto SPV bioprosthesis at 12 years. Methods The Toronto SPV was used for aortic valve replacement ...in 357 patients from July 1991 to December 2004. There were 244 men and 113 women with a mean age of 65 ± 10 years. Aortic stenosis was present in 79% of patients, coronary artery disease in 38%, and left ventricular ejection fraction less than 0.40 in 12%. Patients had an annual assessment of valve function using echocardiography. The mean duration of follow-up was 7.7 ± 3.2 years. Results There were 2 operative and 79 late deaths, of which 13 were valve related and 25 heart related. Survival at 12 years was 64% ± 4% and similar to that of the general population matched for age and sex. Forty-nine patients had echocardiographic evidence of bioprosthetic dysfunction. The freedom from structural valve degeneration at 12 years was 69% ± 4% for all patients, 52% ± 8% for patients less than 65 years of age, and 85% ± 4% for patients 65 years of age or older ( P = .002). Fifty patients had redo aortic valve replacement: 45 for structural valve degeneration and 5 for endocarditis. The freedom from redo aortic valve replacement at 12 years was 69% ± 4%. Cusp tear with consequent aortic insufficiency was the most common cause of structural valve degeneration. At the latest follow-up contact, 226 (63%) patients were alive with the Toronto SPV valve in place, and 69% were in functional class I, 24% in class II, and 7% in class III. Conclusions The Toronto SPV bioprosthesis has provided optimal patient survival and symptomatic improvement but suboptimal valve durability, particularly in patients less than 65 years of age. We now use of this valve mostly in older patients who have a small aortic annulus.
Background Thrombocytopenia (TP) is a common baseline abnormality in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Whether TP has any influence on the outcome of PCI patients is ...unknown. Our aim was to determine if TP at baseline impacts on inhospital mortality in patients undergoing PCI at our institution. Methods From April 2000 until October 2005, 11,021 PCI procedures were performed at the University Health Network in Toronto, Canada. Baseline platelet count was recorded in 10,821 (98.2%) cases. Patients with platelets <150 × 109 /L were assigned to the TP group (n = 639), and those with ≥150 × 109 /L to the normal platelet group (n = 10,182). Clinical, angiographic, procedural, and inhospital outcome data were collected prospectively. Multivariable analysis was performed using logistic regression. Results In-hospital death rate was higher in the TP group (1.9% vs 0.6%, P < .001) due to an increased mortality in TP patients undergoing urgent (3.55% vs 1.15%, P < .001) but not elective (0% vs 0.04%, P = 1.0) PCI. Major bleeding (1.7% vs 0.8%, P < .05) and gastrointestinal bleeding (1.1% vs 0.5%, P < .05) complications were greater in the TP group. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that baseline TP was an independent predictor of inhospital mortality (odds ratio 2.07 1.1-4.1, P = .035). Conclusions Baseline TP is an independent predictor of inhospital mortality in patients undergoing PCI for urgent indications. Thrombocytopenia should be considered an important addition to PCI risk prediction models to improve their precision and clinical applicability.
The optimal approach to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of bifurcation lesions remains unclear, reflecting lack of long-term follow-up and heterogeneity of lesions encountered. We evaluated ...the long-term outcome of patients undergoing bifurcation PCI followed in the prospective bifurcation registry at the University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Of 526 patients undergoing bifurcation PCI between November 2003 and March 2005, most (n = 406) were treated by main vessel stenting only (n = 266) or crush/culotte stenting (n = 140). After median follow-up of 26.5 months, major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) and Canadian Cardiovascular Society class ≥2 angina occurred in 28.5% and 22.3% of patients in these groups, respectively (p = 0.190), whereas MACE rates were 20.8% for main vessel stenting and 18.7% for crush/culotte stenting (p = 0.670). A low bifurcation angle was associated with better outcomes in the crush/culotte group but had no effect on outcome of patients treated with main vessel stenting only. Use of crush/culotte techniques independently predicted freedom from MACEs or Canadian Cardiovascular Society class ≥2 angina compared with main vessel stenting only (odds ratio 0.55, 95% confidence interval 0.32 to 0.94, p = 0.029). In conclusion, the use of crush/culotte stenting is safe, with efficacy and MACE rates being similar to main vessel stenting alone. Our observations regarding the effect of lesion characteristics such as bifurcation angle and extent of side branch disease on outcome underscore the need for randomized trials that are inclusive of patients with complex side branch disease.
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