Background. Reconstruction of the intervalvular fibrosa (IVF) for invasive double-valve infective endocarditis (IE) is a technically challenging operation. This study presents the long-term outcomes of two surgical techniques for IVF reconstruction.Methods. From 1988 to 2017, 138 patients with invasive double-valve IE underwent surgical reconstruction of the IVF, along with double-valve replacement (Commando procedure, n [ 86) or aortic valve replacement with mitral valve repair (hemi-Commando procedure, n [ 52). Mean follow-up was 41 ± 5.9 months.Results. Reoperation was required in 82% of patients, and 34% underwent emergency surgery. Pathologic features included positive blood cultures (90%), prosthetic valve IE (75%), aortic root abscess (78%), mitral annular abscess (24%), and intracardiac fistula (12%). There were 28 hospital deaths: 21 (24%) in the Commando group and 7 (14%) in the hemi-Commando group (P [ .12). Overall survival at 1, 5, and 10 years was 67%, 48%, and 37%, respectively. Coronary artery disease, native valve IE, and causative organism (Staphylococcus aureus, coagulasenegative Staphylococcus, and viridans streptococci) were risk factors for late mortality. Freedom from reoperation at 1, 5, and 8 years was 87%, 74%, and 55%, respectively. Freedom from recurrent IE at 1, 5, and 8 years was 90%, 78%, and 67%, respectively.Conclusions. Although it is technically demanding, surgery for invasive IE involving IVF, which provides the only chance for cure, can be performed with reasonable clinical outcomes. In cases of IE invading the IVF and limited to the anterior mitral valve leaflet, a hemi-Commando procedure that includes mitral valve repair has improved early outcomes.

Objectives: Consensus regarding initial cannulation site for acute type A dissection repair is lacking. Objectives were to review our experience with systematic initial axillary artery cannulation, characterize patients on the basis of cannulation site, and assess outcomes.Methods: From January 2000 to January 2017, 775 patients underwent emergency acute type A dissection repair. Initial axillary cannulation was performed in 617 (80%), femoral in 93 (12%), and central in 65 (8.4%). In-hospital mortality and stroke risk factors were identified using logistic regression. Results:Reasons for selecting initial central or femoral instead of axillary cannulation included unsuitable axillary anatomy (n ¼ 67; 42%), surgeon preference (n ¼ 38; 24%), hemodynamic instability (n ¼ 34; 22%), and preexisting cannulation (n ¼ 19; 12%). Cannulation site was shifted or added intraoperatively in 82 (11%), with initial cannulation site being axillary (n ¼ 23 of 617; 3.7%), central (6 of 65; 9.2%), or femoral (n ¼ 53 of 93; 57%), for surgeon preference (n ¼ 60; 73%), high flow resistance (n ¼ 13; 16%), increased aortic false lumen flow (n ¼ 6; 7.3%), and other (n ¼ 3; 3.7%). In-hospital mortality was 8.6% (n ¼ 67; lowest for axillary, 7.3% [P ¼ .02]) and stroke 8.3% (n ¼ 64). Hemodynamic instability (odds ratio [OR], 7.

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare safety and clinical effectiveness of negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) with traditional wound therapy for managing noninfected open chests with delayed sternal closure after cardiac surgery.Methods: From January 2000 to July 2015, 452 of 47,325 patients who underwent full sternotomy left the operating room with a noninfected open chest (0.96%), managed using NPWT in 214-with frequency of use rapidly increasing to near 100%-and traditionally in 238. Predominant indications for open-chest management were uncontrolled coagulopathy or hemodynamic compromise on attempted chest closure. Weighted propensity-score matching was used to assess in-hospital complications and time-related survival.Results: NPWT and traditionally managed patients had similar high-risk preoperative profiles. Most underwent reoperations (63% of the NPWT group and 57% of the traditional group), and 21% versus 25% were emergency procedures. Reexplorations for bleeding were less common with NPWT versus traditional wound therapy (n ¼ 63 [29%] vs 104 [44%], P ¼ .002). Median duration of open-chest to definitive sternal closure was 3.5 days for NPWT versus 3.1 for traditionally managed patients (P[log rank] ¼ .07). Seven patients (3.3%) were converted from NPWT to traditional therapy because of hemodynamic intolerance and 6 (2.5%) from traditional to NPWT. No NPWT-related cardiovascular injuries occurred. Among matched patients, NPWT was associated with better early survival (61% vs 44% at 6 months; P ¼ .02).Conclusions: NPWT is safe and effective for managing noninfected open chests after cardiac surgery. By facilitating open-chest management and potentially improving outcomes, it has become our therapy of choice and perhaps has lowered our threshold for leaving the chest open after cardiac surgery.

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