ObjectiveManagement of thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) comprises regular diameter follow-up until the indication criterion for prophylactic surgery is reached. However, this approach is unable to ...predict the majority of acute type A aortic dissections (ATAADs). The current study aims to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of ascending aortic diameter, length and volume for occurrence of ATAAD.MethodsThis two-centre observational cohort study retrospectively screened 477 consecutive patients who presented with ATAAD between 2009 and 2018. Of those, 25 (5.2%) underwent CT angiography (CTA) within 2 years before dissection onset. Aortic diameter, length and volume of these patients (‘pre-ATAAD’) were compared with those of TAA controls (n=75). Receiver operating curve analysis was performed to evaluate the predictive accuracy of the three different measurements.Results96% of patients with pre-ATAAD did not meet the surgical diameter threshold of 55 mm before dissection onset. Maximal aortic diameters (45 (40–49) mm vs 46 (44–49) mm, p=0.075) and volume (126 (95–157) cm3 vs 124 (102–136) cm3, p=0.909) were comparable between patients with pre-ATAAD and TAA controls. Conversely, ascending aortic length (84±9 mm vs 90±16 mm, p=0.031) was significantly larger in patients with pre-ATAAD. All three parameters had an area under the curve of >0.800. At the 55 mm cut-off point, the maximal diameter yielded a positive predictive value (PPV) of 20%. While maintaining same specificity levels, measurements of aortic volume and length showed superior diagnostic accuracy (PPV 55% and 70%, respectively).ConclusionMeasurements of aortic volume and length have superior diagnostic accuracy compared with the maximal diameter and could improve the timely identification of patients at risk for ATAAD.
Abstract
Background and Aims
The current study proposes a novel volume–outcome (V–O) meta-analytical approach to determine the optimal annual hospital case volume threshold for cardiovascular ...interventions in need of centralization. This novel method is applied to surgery for acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) as an illustrative example.
Methods
A systematic search was applied to three electronic databases (1 January 2012 to 29 March 2023). The primary outcome was early mortality in relation to annual hospital case volume. Data were presented by volume quartiles (Qs). Restricted cubic splines were used to demonstrate the V–O relation, and the elbow method was applied to determine the optimal case volume. For clinical interpretation, numbers needed to treat (NNTs) were calculated.
Results
One hundred and forty studies were included, comprising 38 276 patients. A significant non-linear V–O effect was observed (P < .001), with a notable between-quartile difference in early mortality rate 10.3% (Q4) vs. 16.2% (Q1). The optimal annual case volume was determined at 38 cases/year 95% confidence interval (CI) 37–40 cases/year, NNT to save a life in a centre with the optimal volume vs. 10 cases/year = 21. More pronounced between-quartile survival differences were observed for long-term survival 10-year survival (Q4) 69% vs. (Q1) 51%, P < .01, adjusted hazard ratio 0.83, 95% CI 0.75–0.91 per quartile, NNT to save a life in a high-volume (Q4) vs. low-volume centre (Q1) = 6.
Conclusions
Using this novel approach, the optimal hospital case volume threshold was statistically determined. Centralization of ATAAD care to high-volume centres may lead to improved outcomes. This method can be applied to various other cardiovascular procedures requiring centralization.
Structured Graphical Abstract
Structured Graphical Abstract
Overview of the process to determine the volume-outcome relation and the optimal annual case volume in surgery for acute type A aortic dissection. Grey line: first quartile, yellow line: second quartile, blue line: third quartile, and red line: fourth quartile. ATAAD, acute type A aortic dissection.
Audio Abstract
10.1093/eurheartj/ehad551media1
Audio Abstract
ehad551media1
6335404329112
Reoperative mitral valve surgery (MVS) through a median sternotomy (ST-MVS) can be particularly challenging due to dense adhesions and is known to carry a substantial risk of injuries to vascular ...structures. These injuries occur in 7-9% of cases and are associated with increased mortality rates. A valid alternative that could avoid the risks associated with redo ST-MVS is the right anterolateral minithoracotomy (MT-MVS) approach. The aim of this study was to quantify the effects of MT-MVS compared with those of ST-MVS on morbidity and mortality among patients who underwent prior cardiac surgery through a sternotomy. The MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched through 1 November 2017. Data regarding mortality, stroke, reoperation for bleeding and length of hospital stay were extracted and submitted to a meta-analysis using random effects modelling and the I2-test for heterogeneity. Six retrospective observational studies were included, enrolling a total of 777 patients. In a pooled analysis, MT-MVS demonstrated reduced mortality rates compared to a standard sternotomy odds ratio (OR) 0.41, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.18-0.96; P = 0.04. MT-MVS was, moreover, associated with reduced length of hospital stay difference between the means was -3.81, 95% CI -5.53 to -2.08; P < 0.0001) and reoperation for bleeding (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.10-0.99; P = 0.0488). The incidence of stroke was similar (OR 1.51, 95% CI 0.65-3.54; P = 0.34), all in the absence of heterogeneity. In conclusion, reoperative minimally invasive MVS through a minithoracotomy is a safe alternative to standard sternotomy, with reduced mortality rates, length of hospital stay and reoperations for bleeding and a comparable risk of stroke. However, because the existing literature provided limited, low-quality evidence, more methodologically rigorous randomized controlled trials are needed.
Objectives
Routine imaging modalities combined with state-of-the-art reconstruction software can substantially improve preoperative planning and simplify complex procedure by enhancing the surgeon’s ...knowledge of the patient’s specific anatomy. The aim of the current study was to demonstrate the feasibility of interactive three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) reconstructions for preoperative planning and intraoperative guiding in video-assisted thoracoscopic lung surgery (VATS) with 3D vision.
Methods
Twenty-five consecutive patients referred for an anatomic pulmonary resection by a single surgeon were included. Data were collected prospectively. All patients underwent a CT angiography in the diagnostic pathway prior to referral. 3D reconstruction of the pulmonary anatomy was obtained from CT scans with dedicated software. An interactive PDF file of the 3D reconstruction with virtual resection was created, in which all the pulmonary structures could be individually selected. Furthermore, the reconstructions were used for intraoperative guiding on double monitor during VATS with 3D vision.
Results
In total, 26 procedures were performed for 5 benign and 21 malignant conditions. Lobectomy and segmentectomy were performed in 20 (76.9 %) and 6 (23.1%) cases, respectively. In all patients, preoperative 3D reconstruction of pulmonary vessels corresponded with the intraoperative findings. Reconstructions revealed anatomic variations in 4 (15.4%) patients. No conversion to thoracotomy or in-hospital mortality occurred.
Conclusions
Preoperative planning with interactive 3D CT reconstruction is a useful method to enhance the surgeon’s knowledge of the patient’s specific anatomy and to reveal anatomic variations. Intraoperative 3D guiding in VATS with 3D vision is feasible and could contribute to the safety and accuracy of anatomic resection.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to develop a process for modelling and 3-dimensional (3D) printing of different mitral valve diseases for procedural planning and simulation, based on 3D ...transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE).
METHODS
3D TOE was used to reconstruct a fully dynamic 3D view of the diseased valve. Reconstructions were cropped at the level of the valve and captured in mid-systole to assess the coaptation defect. Reconstructions were then exported as a surface mesh. To ensure a watertight and noise-reduced model, the mesh was processed using computer-modelling programmes, whereupon the valve was printed in 3D. For simulation purposes, deformable models were created based on negative mould fabrication and cast in tissue-mimicking silicone. Model validation was performed by intraoperative assessment of the valvular disease and repair strategy.
RESULTS
The mitral valves of 10 prospective patients with different diseases were modelled. In 6 patients, a 3D printed rigid plastic mitral valve was created for procedural planning, and in 4 patients, a silicone-cast replica was created for procedural simulation. All models were created to scale, implying conservation of in vivo dimensions. Models were validated by in vivo comparison. Total workaround time ranged from 3 to 4 h and 2 to 3 days for rigid plastic and silicone models, respectively. Costs were €15 to €40 and €300, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
We demonstrated the feasibility of creating rigid plastic and tissue-mimicking silicone mitral valve replications. These models could be used in the future to enhance surgical anatomical interpretation, to facilitate planning and simulation of complex surgeries and for training purposes.
The use of biomarkers is undisputed in the diagnosis of primary myocardial infarction (MI), but their value for identifying MI is less well studied in the postoperative phase following coronary ...artery bypass grafting (CABG). To identify patients with periprocedural MI (PMI), several conflicting definitions of PMI have been proposed, relying either on cardiac troponin (cTn) or the MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase, with or without supporting evidence of ischaemia. However, CABG inherently induces the release of cardiac biomarkers, as reflected by significant cTn concentrations in patients with uncomplicated postoperative courses. Still, the underlying (patho)physiological release mechanisms of cTn are incompletely understood, complicating adequate interpretation of postoperative increases in cTn concentrations. Therefore, the aim of the current review is to present these potential underlying mechanisms of cTn release in general, and following CABG in particular (Graphical Abstract). Based on these mechanisms, dissimilarities in the release of cTnI and cTnT are discussed, with potentially important implications for clinical practice. Consequently, currently proposed cTn biomarker cut-offs by the prevailing definitions of PMI might warrant re-assessment, with differentiation in cut-offs for the separate available assays and surgical strategies. To resolve these issues, future prospective studies are warranted to determine the prognostic influence of biomarker release in general and PMI in particular.
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