Background & Aim Cardiogenic shock (CS) withholds a significantly high mortality rate between 40-60% despite advances in diagnosis and medical/surgical intervention. To-date, machine learning(ML) is being implemented to integrate numerous data to optimize early diagnostic predictions and suggest clinical courses. This systematic review summarizes the area under the curve (AUC) receiver operating characteristics (ROC) accuracy for the early prediction of CS. Methods A systematic review was conducted within databases of PubMed, ScienceDirect, Clinical Key/MEDLINE, Embase, GoogleScholar, and Cochrane. Cohort studies that assessed accuracy of early detection of CS using ML software were included. Data extraction was focused on AUC-ROC values directed towards early detection of CS. Results A total of 943 studies were included for systematic review. From the reviewed studies, 2.2% (N=21) evaluated patient outcomes, of which 14.3% (N=3) were assessed. The collective patient cohort (N=698) consisted of 314(45.0%) females, with an average age and body mass index (BMI) of 64.1years and 28.1kg/m2, respectively. Collectively, 159 (22.8%) mortalities were reported following early CS detection. Altogether, the AUC-ROC value was 0.82 (alfa=0.05), deeming it of superb sensitivity and specificity. Conclusions From the present comprehensively gathered data, this study accounts the use of ML software for the early detection of CS in a clinical setting as a valid tool to predict patients at risk of CS. The complexity of ML and its parallel lack of clinical evidence implies that further prospective randomized control trials are needed to draw definitive conclusions prior to standardizing use of these technologies.

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to report a case diagnosed by bedside echocardiography in which bone cement infiltrated into the paravertebral vein system after percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) and caused intracardiac cement embolism (ICE). A 79-year-old female patient had suddenly become unconscious 14 hours after PVP. Emergency bedside echocardiogram showed that the patient had a strong echo in the right heart with a small amount of pericardial effusion, suspected of causing cardiogenic shock. Computed tomography (CT) showed high density in the distal branches of both pulmonary arteries and a high density in the right heart.Combined with the history of surgery, the clinician considers the foreign body as bone cement and the diagnosis was ICE. The bone cement in the heart was removed under emergency cardiopulmonary bypass. The patient recovered and was discharged smoothly.

Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) is an expanding technology for patients in cardiogenic shock. Most patients requiring ECLS can be managed with percutaneous veno-arterial (VA) femoral cannulation. Despite sufficient extracorporeal circulatory support, an unclear number of patients develop left ventricular distension which can result in increased wall tension and stress as well as worsening pulmonary edema. Indications to vent the left ventricle can be controversial. When venting is indicated a number of additional procedures may be considered including inotropic support, intra-aortic balloon pump, Impella, balloon atrial septostomy, or placement of a transseptal cannula. We present a unique case of a femoral VA Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as bridge to transplant (BTT) with left-sided venting using a Bio-medicus NextGen cannula (Medtronic) with a transseptal approach.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been adopted to support patients with acute severe cardiac or pulmonary failure that is potentially reversible and unresponsive to conventional management. In the presence of pulmonary embolism, mesenteric ischemia (MI) can present as a life-threatening disorder that leads to intestinal ischemia. Due to the nature and acuity of these conditions, determining adequate perfusion upon surgical intervention is challenging for the operating surgeon, especially in the presence of cardiogenic shock despite ECMO support. Indocyanine green fluorescent angiography (ICG-FA) has proven to be useful for real-time vascular perfusion assessment, which may potentially decrease the rate of development of perfusion-related complications. The case report here-in presented, breaks the paradigm of performing noncardiac surgical procedures on ECMO support via a pioneering visual aid technique. Learning objective Indocyanine green fluorescent angiography (ICG-FA) is a promising visual trans-operatory technique providing real-time feedback for the adequate identification and assessment of target tissue/organs. The high morbidity and mortality rates associated to MI and CS – particularly when concomitantly present – hinders salvage surgical therapy. The use of acute ECMO provides stabilization yet lacks any curative solutions. This case report highlights the importance of adequate surgical intervention under extracorporeal life support in the presence of both CS and MI. To the authors’ knowledge, said approach has never been attempted, yet trails a promising therapy for the improvement of associated mortality rates.

Background: Myocardial bridging (MB) is commonly treated in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). However, whether and how MB should be treated in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) who underwent septal myectomy remain unclear. Methods: A total of 823 adults with HOCM who underwent septal myectomy at the Fuwai Hospital from 2011 to 2017 were retrospectively studied. Results: Overall, 31 events occurred: 24 patients died and 7 had nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI). The 3-year cumulative event-free survival of all-cause death (97.9% vs 100% vs 100% vs 98.4%, p=0.89) and cardiovascular death (98.3% vs 100% vs 100% vs 98.4%, p=0.63) were similar among the four groups (non-MB, CABG, unroofing, untreated, respectively). The 3-year cumulative event-free survival of nonfatal MI (100% vs 97.5% vs 98.0% vs 89.9%, p<0.001) and combined endpoints (97.9% vs 97.5% vs 98.0% vs 88.4%, p=0.02) were significantly lowest in untreated MB. Cox regression analysis indicated that untreated MB was a significant independent predictor of combined endpoints (hazard ratio [HR]: 4.06, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.60–10.32, p<0.001). Moreover, 49 patients underwent coronary artery computed tomography after surgery. The patency rate of the saphenous vein graft (SVG) was significantly higher than that of the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) (13.3% vs 84.2%, p<0.001). No MB was detected in the unroofing group. Conclusions: Surgical MB treatment could be beneficial and performed safely during septal myectomy. Myocardial unroofing is the recommended treatment for MB, and unroofing when technically possible may be preferable for long-term outcomes.

Background Combined ONCAB and SAVR is the treatment of choice for concomitant severe aortic stenosis and coronary artery disease not amenable to PCI intervention. Extensive aortic calcification and atheromatous disease may prohibit cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross clamping. In these cases Anaortic OPCAB is a Class I (EACTS 2018) and Class IIA (AHA 2021) indication for surgical coronary revascularization. TAVR has similar benefits when compared to SAVR for this population (Partner 2 & 3). Herewith we describe a case series of concomitant Anaortic OPCAB and TAVR via the transfemoral approach for patients with coronary artery and valve disease considered too high risk for traditional CABG and SAVR due to severe aortic disease. Methods/Results Eight patients underwent anaortic OPCAB and transfemoral TAVR during the same anesthetic in a hybrid operating room. Seven patients with multi-vessel disease had anaortic OPCAB via a sternotomy using composite grafts, one patient with LAD disease had anaortic OPCAB using a Da Vinci assisted MIDCAB approach. All patients then had an Edwards Sapien 3 TAVR placed percutaneously via the common femoral artery. There was no thirty-day mortality or CVA in the series and all patients were discharged to home or a rehabilitation facility on day 4-13. Conclusions Combined anaortic OPCAB and transfemoral TAVR is a safe and feasible approach to treating concomitant extensive coronary artery disease and severe aortic stenosis. The aortic no-touch technique provides benefits in the elderly high-risk patients by reducing the risk of post-operative myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular stroke.

Background: This study evaluated 20-year survival following adult orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT). Methods: The United Network of Organ Sharing Registry database was queried to study adult OHT recipients between 1987-1998 with over 20-year posttransplant follow-up. The primary and secondary outcomes were 20-year survival and cause of death following OHT, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify significant independent predictors of long-term survival, and long-term survival was compared among cohorts stratified by number of predictors using Kaplan Meier survival analysis. Results: 20,658 patients undergoing OHT were included, with median follow-up of 9.0 (IQR 3.2-15.4) years. Kaplan-Meier estimates of 10-, 15-, and 20-year survival were 50.2%, 30.1%, and 17.2%, respectively. Median survival was 10.1 (IQR 3.9-16.9) years. Increasing recipient age (>65 years), increasing donor age (>40 years), increasing recipient BMI (>30), black race, ischemic cardiomyopathy, and longer cold ischemic time (>4 hours) were adversely associated with 20-year survival. Of these 6 negative predictors, presence of 0 risk factors had the greatest 10-year (59.7%) and 20-year survival (26.2%), with decreasing survival with additional negative predictors. The most common cause of death in 20-year survivors was renal, liver, and/or multisystem organ failure whereas graft failure more greatly impacted earlier mortality. Conclusions: This study identifies six negative preoperative predictors of 20-year survival with 20-year survival rates exceeding 25% in the absence of these factors. These data highlight the potential for very long-term survival following OHT in patients with end-stage heart failure and may be useful for patient selection and prognostication.

It is an elegant albeit limited study reporting effects of pre op LVEF on long term results in patients with RHD undergoing DVR. Study includes146 pqtients out of 201 who underwent DVR in the study period. Although all had some improvement immediate post op, those with preserved EF and smaller left ventricles regardless of type of prostheses used, surgical techniques ( partial or full Sub-valvular Apparatus Preservation), had more sustained improvement after 3-4 years than those with lower EF and more dilation . It can be partially explained by more prevalence of aortic insufficiency in patients with pre op lower EF <50 and dilation ( average LVESD 49 mm vs 32 mm in EF >50). There are myocardial factors which also play a part , those with abnormal LV function have more extensive loss of myofibrils either due to disproportion of mitochondria-to-myofibril ratio or myofibrillar degeneration exhibiting the extent RHD involves myocardium. Structural adaptation may not all be just a result of hemodynamic abnormalities in these patients (1). The recommendation that surgical intervention should occur before the LV starts to dilate or EF drops is well founded and would be impactful in the developing world, an estimated 250,000 deaths occur annually worldwide and 10.5 million disability adjusted life years due to RHD, mostly in young people.

We want to thank Dr. Raveenthiran and Dr. Harky for their interest in our paper and in the topic of Marfans in the setting of pregnancy. Certainly, the reduction of adverse outcomes would be improved with early knowledge of Marfans syndrome in the mother which would aid in preparation and clinical consideration during the perioperative period, and, prior to pregnancy.

Background: This study explores the strategy and effect of emergency surgical treatment for total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC). Methods: From March 2009 to February 2020, 78 patients with TAPVC underwent emergency surgical correction. There were 51 males and 27 females. The median age was 39.5 days, and the median weight was 4.0 kg. The preoperative percutaneous oxygen saturation was 80.8±4.5%. Results: Of the cases investigated, seven died during the perioperative period, 16 had delayed chest closure, 19 had early pulmonary vein obstruction, two had secondary tracheal intubation, one had a brain complication, and one had third-degree atrioventricular block. Low weight, younger age, cardiopulmonary bypass time, and aortic cross-clamp time were identified as risk factors for early mortality. During the follow-up from four to 137 months, 12 cases did not respond to follow up. Ten patients died within one to six months after discharge. One patient underwent reoperation due to pulmonary vein obstruction. The longer hospital stays after operation and intensive care unit time were identified as risk factors for late mortality. Conclusions: Emergency surgery for severe TAPVC patients after admission had achieved good results in the near future. Prenatal diagnosis should be strengthened to save more patients. The higher late mortality rate indicates that such patients should strengthen post-discharge management to reduce the occurrence of post-discharge deaths.

Background: Heart transplant from controlled donation after circulatory death (cDCD) is an emerging strategy that is rapidly expanding and may help increase the heart donor pool. Materials and Methods: The use of thoracoabdominal normothermic regional perfusion (TANRP) with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation device has allowed to perform cardiac transplantation after cDCD. Several experiences have been carried out in recent years, however the maximum cold ischemia time is still unknown. We present a successful case of heart transplantation using a graft from cDCD from another hospital with 201 minutes of cold ischemia time, the longest published in Europe. Discussion and conclusion: Heart transplant from cDCD could be a good alternative to brain dead donation. This experience suggests than nonlocal cardiac donation in controlled asystole could tolerate long periods of cold ischemia time and break the main barriers in cardiac donation after circulatory death.

Background: The present study aimed to explore the relationship between serum anion gap (AG) and long-term mortality in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods: Clinical variables were extracted among patients undergoing CABG from Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III (MIMIC III) database. The primary outcome was four-year mortality following CABG. An optimal cut-off value of AG was determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The Kaplan-Meier (K-M) analysis and multivariate Cox hazard analysis were performed to investigate the prognostic value of AG in long-term mortality after CABG. In order to eliminate the bias between different groups, propensity score matching (PSM) was conducted to validate the findings. Results: The optimal cut-off value of AG was 17.00 mmol/L. Then a total of 3,162 eligible patients enrolled in this study were divided into a high AG group (≥17.00, n=1,022) and a low AG group (<17.00, n=2,140). A lower survival rate was identified in the high AG group based on K-M curve (p<0.001). Compared with patients in the low AG group, patients in the high AG group had an increased risk of long-term mortality [One-year: HR 2.309, 95% CI (1.672-3.187), P<0.001; two-year: HR 1.813, 95% CI (1.401-2.346), P<0.001; three-year: HR 1.667, 95% CI (1.341-2.097), P<0.001; four-year: HR 1.710, 95% CI (1.401-2.087), P<0.001] according to multivariate Cox hazard analysis. And further validation of above results were consistent in the matched cohort after PSM. Conclusions: The AG is an independent predictive factor for long-term all-cause mortality in patients following CABG, where a high AG value is associated with an increased mortality.

Title pageTitle : Letter to the editor: Septal myectomy in the era of genetic testingArticle type : Letter to the editor

Abstract: Critical airway stenosis presents a challenge for surgeons and anesthesiologists alike in securing a reliable airway for adequate ventilation. The use of veno-venous (VV) extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been described as a strategy to provide adequate gas exchange in such instances. We present a case of a young female with a complex paratracheal mass significantly compressing the trachea in whom a planned intra-operative VV ECMO was instituted to allow safe oro-tracheal intubation of a double lumen endotracheal tube for lung isolation and tumor resection.

Cardiac involvement of hydatid cyst disease is a rare presentation but may lead to life-threatening complications such as cyst rupture and should be treated surgically A 10-year-old male patient with cranial and complicated cardiac hydatid cyst disease lesions that caused lower extremity peripheral arterial occlusion and aneurysmatic dilatation in the left ventricular apex is presented. Although the patient was in the pediatric age group, the Dor procedure was successfully applied to preserve the ventricular geometry. The Dor procedure for a ventricular aneurysm caused by a cardiac hydatid cyst was rarely applied in the pediatric age group. Inconclusion, this case differs from other cardiac hydatid cysts previously reported in the literature due to the advanced stage of the disease, atypical clinical presentation, and rare complications despite the young age of the case. The surgical method used in treating the patient makes the subject more interesting.

The authors report an exceptionally rare patient with findings of a bicuspid aortic valve in conjunction with a mature cystic teratoma in a middle-aged male presenting for symptomatic chest pain. Surgical resection and valve replacement were performed, confirming the rare cardiac tumor. While certainly interesting, this case highlights the importance of maintaining a broad differential diagnosis and the appropriate work-up, treatment and considerations for such rare pathology.

We have reported a case of trans-cuff leakage that occurred in a composite graft of bio-Bentall operation. The leakage resolved several months after surgery, similar to the trans-cuff leakage seen in simple aortic valve replacement. We have proposed hypotheses on the mechanism of trans-cuff leakage during a bio-Bentall operation and suggested ways to prevent it from occurring.

Objective: To assess the impact of surgeon experience on the outcomes of degenerative mitral valve disease. Methods: We reviewed all patients who had surgery for degenerative mitral valve disease between 2011-2016. Experienced surgeon was defined as performing  25 mitral valve operations/year. Patient characteristics and outcomes were compared. Multivariable analysis was performed to identify factors associated with MR recurrence. Survival analysis for mortality was done using Kaplan Meier curve and Cox proportional Hazard method. Results: There were 575 patients treated by 9 surgeons for severe mitral regurgitation caused by degenerative mitral valve disease between 2011-2016. Three experienced surgeons performed 77.2% of the operations. Patients treated by less experienced surgeons had worse comorbidity profile and were more likely to have an urgent or emergent operation (P=0.001). Experienced surgeons were more likely to attempt repair (P=0.024), to succeed in repair (94.7% vs 87%, P=0.001), had shorter cross-clamp times (P=0.001), and achieved higher repair rate (81.3% vs 69.7%, P=0.005). Experienced surgeons were more likely to use neochordae (P=0.001) and less likely to use chordae transfer (P=0.001). Surgeon experience was not associated with recurrence (moderate or higher MR) within the first two years after surgery but was an independent risk factor for mortality (HR= 2.64, P=0.002). Conclusions: Techniques of degenerative mitral valve surgery differ with surgeon experience, with higher rates of repair and better outcomes associated with more experienced surgeons.