The standardization of remodeling root repair with calibrated expansible aortic ring annuloplasty and cusp effective height assessment improves valve repair outcomes.

BackgroundIn patients after aortic valve surgery, the quality of life is hypothesized to be influenced by the type of the valve procedure. A cross-sectional study on the postoperative quality of life was carried out in patients after aortic valve-sparing surgery (with regards to the age of the patient), Ross procedure and mechanical aortic valve replacement.MethodsQuality of life was studied in 139 patients after aortic valve surgery divided into four study groups (Y – aortic valve-sparing procedure at the age below 50 years, mean age 36.2 years; O – aortic valve-sparing procedure at the age 50 years and over, mean age 59.2 years; R – Ross procedure, mean age 37.8 years and M – mechanical aortic valve replacement at the age below 50 years, mean age 39.2 years). SF-36 Short Form and valve-specific questionnaires were mailed to the patients after 6 months or later following surgery (median 26.9 months).ResultsIn SF-36, the younger aortic valve repair patients and the Ross patients scored significantly better in 4 of 4 physical subscales and in 2 of 4 mental subscales than the older aortic valve repair and mechanical valve replacement patients. In the valve-specific questionnaire; however, all 3 groups free of anticoagulation (Y, O, and R) displayed greater freedom from negative valve-related concerns.ConclusionsPostoperative quality of life is influenced by the type of aortic valve procedure and is negatively linked with mechanical prosthesis implantation and long-term anticoagulation. Aortic valve-sparing strategy should be considered in cases with suitable valve morphology due to favorable clinical results and beneficial impact on the long-term quality of life.

E 5 9What ' s known on the subject? and What does the study add? Surgical treatment of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with tumour thrombus extending into the right atrium remains, despite its complexity and specifi c technical aspects, the only radical therapeutic option.This single-centre study, unique in size for this rare condition, reports early and late results over a period of 18 years. All patients were operated on using a standardised protocol with use of cardiopulmonary bypass and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. Overall and cancer-specifi c cumulative survival was better than in other reports. OBJECTIVE• To evaluate the long-term results of radical surgical management of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with tumour thrombus extension (TTE) level IV into the right atrium (RCC/TTE IV) in a large singleinstitution series. PATIENTS AND METHODS• Radical complex urological and cardio-surgical procedure was performed over a period of 18 years (1993 -2010) on 21 patients with RCC/TTE IV. A radical nephrectomy was performed followed by sternotomy, institution of cardiopulmonary bypass and extraction of the intracardiac tumour thrombus under direct visual control during deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA).• Perioperative and postoperative variables, and long-term overall and cancer-specifi c survival using the Kaplan -Meier method were analysed. RESULTS• In all patients, precise removal of tumour thrombus was accomplished in a bloodless fi eld during DHCA.• The mean ( SD ) duration of circulatory arrest was 16 (6) min at a mean hypothermia of 20 (3) ° C. In-hospital mortality was 9.5% (two patients).• The median survival (including in-hospital mortality) was 25 months.• In Kaplan -Meier analysis, 2-and 5-year overall cumulative survival rate was 57 (95% confi dence interval, CI 36 -78)% and 37 (95% CI 15 -58)%, respectively.• Cancer-specifi c cumulative survival was 68 (95% CI 49 -89)% at 2 years and 51 (95% CI 28 -74)% at 5 years. CONCLUSIONS• Late outcome after radical surgical treatment in patients with RCC and TTE reaching up to the right atrium justifi es this extensive procedure.• Cardiopulmonary bypass with DHCA allows safe and precise extirpation of all intracaval and intracardiac tumour mass.

This study demonstrates no difference in mid-term results after regurgitant bicuspid and tricuspid aortic valve repair, suggesting that bicuspid valve may not be a risk factor for aortic valve repair.

OBJECTIVES Aortic valve (AV) insufficiency with normal root and ascending aorta is most frequently treated by valve replacement with significant prosthetic-related complications and reduced life expectancy. We compared the outcomes of a new standardized isolated AV repair approach using an external aortic annuloplasty ring at the subvalvular level (single ring annuloplasty) and the role of an additional supravalvular ring at the sinotubular junction (double ring annuloplasty). METHODS Single centre data were collected from the Aortic Valve Insufficiency and ascending aorta Aneurysm InternATiOnal Registry (AVIATOR) between 2003 and 2017. A total of 93 patients (56 single ring and 37 double ring) underwent isolated AV repair. RESULTS The overall 30-day mortality rate and the need for a permanent pacemaker were 1% and 2%, respectively. The overall survival rate at 6 years was similar for sex- and age-matched members of the general population (89% vs 95%; P = 0.1) and did not differ between the double and single ring groups (82% vs 93%; P = 0.4) at 6 years. There were no thromboembolic or bleeding events in the entire cohort. However, at 6 years, the cumulative incidence of valve-related reintervention was 26% in the single ring annuloplasty group compared to 3% in the double ring annuloplasty (P = 0.02) group. Similarly, at 6 years, the cumulative incidence of moderate-to-severe (>2) aortic insufficiency was 30% in the single ring annuloplasty group compared to 0% in the double ring annuloplasty group (P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS Standardized AV repair with external ring annuloplasty has a survival rate similar to that of the general population. The additional stabilization of the sinotubular junction with a second supravalvular ring (double ring annuloplasty) is associated with better outcomes compared to single subvalvular annuloplasty. It can be considered as a first line intervention for patients with isolated aortic insufficiency and pliable leaflets.

OBJECTIVES The choice of optimal surgical treatment for young and middle-aged adults with aortic valve disease remains a challenge. Mechanical aortic valve replacement (mAVR) is generally preferred despite promising recent outcomes of the Ross procedure. Our goal was to compare the strategies at a nationwide level. METHODS This study was a retrospective analysis of prospectively recorded data from the National Registry of Cardiac Surgery of the Czech Republic. Using propensity score matching, we compared the outcomes of patients undergoing the Ross procedure in 2 dedicated centres with all mAVRs performed in country between 2009 and 2020. RESULTS Throughout the study period, 296 adults underwent the Ross procedure and 5120 had an mAVR. We found and compared 291 matched pairs. There were no in-hospital deaths, and the risk of perioperative complications was similar in both groups. Over the average follow-up period of 4.1 vs 6.1 years, the Ross group had a lower all-cause mortality (0.7 vs 6.5%; P = 0.015). This result remained significant even when accounting for cardiac- and valve-related deaths only (P = 0.048). Unlike the Ross group, the mAVR group had a significantly lower relative survival compared with the age- and sex-matched general population. There was no difference in the risk of reoperation (4.5 vs 5.5%; P = 0.66). CONCLUSIONS The Ross procedure offers a significant midterm survival benefit over mAVR. The procedures have a comparable risk of perioperative complications. Patients after mAVR have reduced survival. Thus, the Ross procedure should be the preferred treatment option for young and middle-aged adults with aortic valve disease in dedicated centres.

Rossova operace je unikátním chirurgickým konceptem, který řeší nereparabilní postižení aortální chlopně její náhradou vlastní chlopní plicnice. Výtokový trakt pravé komory je po vytnutí plicnice rekonstruován transplantací pulmonálního alograftu. Plicnicová chlopeň v aortální pozici (pulmonální autograft) vysoce předčí jiné náhražky svými hemodynamickými vlastnostmi, viabilitou se schopností růstu (u dětských pacientů) a nízkým rizikem tromboembolismu a infekční endokarditidy. Přes nesporné výhody pulmonálního autograftu vzbuzuje Rossova operace kontroverze a chirurgický respekt, protože jde o technicky náročný výkon, který navíc představuje pro další chlopeň riziko komplikací a předpokládané reoperace. Renesance zájmu o Rossovu operaci je způsobena zejména poznáním kritických kroků, standardizací operace i znalostí dlouhodobých výsledků. Ve velkých sestavách nemocných byly prokázány významné výhody pro nemocné v podobě vynikajícího přežívání, nízké četnosti komplikací a vysoké kvality života. Pokud je Rossova operace prováděna ve specializovaných centrech s důrazem na technické detaily zajišťující dlouhodobou stabilitu autograftu i alograftu, je atraktivní alternativou zejména pro mladé nemocné s postižením aortální chlopně.

From September 1994 to December 2002, 6,274 cardiosurgery operations were performed at the Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic. Intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation (IABP) was applied in 192 cases (3.1%). From this group of 192 counterpulsated patients 103 were successfully treated (53.6%); 89 counterpulsated patients (46.4%) died from the surgical procedure (30-day mortality rate). In 5 cases (2.6%) from the group of 192, the IABP was introduced before the operation. Ischemic changes of the limb were observed in 11 cases (5.7%). Significant bleeding occurred at the site of puncture in 6 cases (3.1%). Dissection of the femoral and iliac arteries was found in 2 patients (1.0%), perforation of the iliac artery in 1 case (0.5%). In 2 cases (1.0%) the balloon was led into the venous system. In case report No. 1 an introduction of the balloon under a sclerotic plaque of the descending aorta and iliac artery is described. In case report No. 2 a placement of the balloon in the venous bloodstream is reported.