ABSTRACT Various techniques of conduit repair have been employed during valve reconstruction. While Ozaki conduits have streamlined the procedure, their limited availability poses concerns. This case report presents 14-year-old patient with pulmonary atresia and an anomalous left anterior descending artery arising from the right sinus. A right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery conduit was created using Dacron® graft and a trileaflet valve employing Duran's technique of pericardial valve reconstruction, elucidating surgical methodology. In developing countries, the implementation of Duran's technique presents noteworthy advantage allowing for utilization of autologous tissue, addressing challenges associated with PTFE conduits. Unlike PTFE conduits, the results of Duran’s technique at the pulmonary position needs to be followed up in a large number of cases.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) provide evidence of efficacy, while real-world data (RWD) demonstrate effectiveness in real-world practice. We designed a systematic review and meta-analysis of reconstructed time-to-event (RTE) data from propensity score matching studies comparing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) to compare their effectiveness and evaluate the generalizability of TAVI indications. Methods: Systematic review of literature between 2007 and 2023 including propensity score matching studies comparing TAVI or SAVR that reported at least one-year Kaplan-Meier curves of endpoints. Results: Twenty-one studies were included (39538 participants). TAVI shows a higher all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.41; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.34-1.47, P-value < 0.001), with a significant heterogeneity. The analysis of HR trend over time shows that TAVI superiority is limited to the first month with a steep reversal afterwards, when SAVR becomes clearly superior. All-cause mortality is significantly higher in TAVI in low-risk (HR 1.35; 95% CI 1.08-1.69, P-value < 0.001) as well as in intermediate (HR 1.73; 95% CI 1.35-2.22, P-value < 0.001) and high-risk (HR 1.61; 95% CI 1.38-1.88, P-value < 0.001) patients. The HR trend in the subgroups of risk confirms the data from the whole mixed population. Conclusion: In a real-word setting, TAVI is associated with higher incidence of all-cause death and maintains a survival benefit only in the first month after implantation. These results show that TAVI effectiveness may not reflect the efficacy demonstrated by RCTs and pose a threat to their external validity.

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate a precise treatment and related gene variants in some Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS) patients with vascular disease. Methods: Two probands (JX001-II1 and JX002-II1) diagnosed with LDS and their families were recruited. Routine blood test, antiphospholipid antibodies, immune globulins, nuclear antibodies (ANAs) and biochemical tests, and computed tomography angiography (CTA) were performed for probands. Deoxyribonucleic acid was collected from the two families and was sequenced by the next-generation sequencing employing the Ion Torrent platform (Life Technologies); the variants were confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Results: Two probands’ antiphospholipid antibodies, immune globulins, and ANAs were near normal. CTA showed that both probands had an LDS patient typical arterial change: aortic aneurysm. Genetic testing of the 10 LDS-associated genes in the two probands showed that c.605C>T (JX001-II1) and c.679G>A (JX002-II1) variants were both positioned in exon 1 of TGFBR1 and it results in the substitution of highly conserved 202 alanine (Ala) for valine (Val) ( P. Ala 202Val, JX001-II1) and 227 glutamic acids (Glu) for lysine (Lys) ( P. Glu 227Lys, JX002-II1). However, the parents of both patients did not have similar symptoms and did not carry such gene variants. Proband 1 (JX001-II1) died unexpectedly during the operation preparations, whereas proband 2 (JX002-II1) underwent two operations, and the patient is currently in excellent health. Conclusion: The two TGFBR1 gene variants may be a primary genetic cause of LDS. The results expand the TGFBR1 variant spectrum. Endovascular surgery can be a feasible option for LDS patients.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Patients frequently experience transient postoperative neurocognitive decline (NCD) after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. The goal of this study is to describe preoperative high blood pressure as a risk factor for NCD and use genomic expression to uncover its contribution to the pathophysiology of NCD. Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of cohort study at a single academic center. Patients undergoing cardiac surgery with the use of cardiopulmonary bypass were administered the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) preoperatively, at postoperative day four, and four weeks postoperatively. Electronic medical records were reviewed for all recorded blood pressure from the year preceding surgery and intraoperative blood pressures. Blood samples were collected six hours preoperatively and six hours postoperatively to assess messenger ribonucleic acid expression. Results: Eighty-seven patients completed postoperative day four testing, of whom thirty-seven experienced NCD (42.5%). Chronically elevated systolic blood pressure over the year preceding surgery was correlated with greater negative change in RBANS score at postoperative day four (P=0.03). Upon genomic analysis, macrophage markers were upregulated preoperatively, and anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective genes were downregulated postoperatively among patients who had a mean systolic blood pressure ≥ 130 mmHg. Conclusion: Chronic exposure to elevated preoperative systolic blood pressure may increase the risk of NCD. The contributing role of preoperative hypertension in NCD may be partly explained by reduced attenuation of oxidative stress, increased inflammation, and reduced neuroprotection and heme metabolism postoperatively. This must be considered when assessing patient risks for cardiac surgery.

ABSTRACT Objectiver: The aim of this study was to determine the clinical outcomes of patients with acute type A aortic dissection comparing proximal aortic repair vs. total arch replacement. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study. We included all acute type A aortic dissection procedures from January 2002 to November 2022. Groups were defined according to the extent of aortic replacement (hemiarch repair vs. total arch replacement). We collected data from pre, intra, and postoperative variables. Our main endpoints were stroke rate, spinal cord injury, and in-hospital mortality. We performed a statistical analysis for between-group comparisons according to the nature and distribution of variables. Bivariate analyses were done using the Mann-Whitney U test and for categorical variables, the Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test. Significance was established at alpha level of 0.05. Results: We identified 107 acute type A aortic dissection procedures (69 hemiarch repairs vs. 38 total arch replacements). There were no differences in postoperative outcomes such as surgical site infection or acute kidney injury. Bleeding reoperation was more frequent in the hemiarch group (30% vs. 11 %). We did not find statistically significant differences in stroke rate, spinal cord injury, or in-hospital mortality. Conclusion: Acute type A aortic dissection treatment is still a challenge. Total arch replacement does not increase the risk of major early postoperative complications in comparison to hemiarch repair. The extended repair seems to provide benefits such as a lower risk of reoperation. Total arch replacement should be performed in selected patients, as it may improve long-term outcomes

ABSTRACT Patients having Stanford type A acute dissection soon after cardiac surgery have a high risk of rupture and death. The presentation, management, and outcome of primary dissection of the ascending aorta (Stanford type A or De Bakey type I or II) are well described. However, patients with Stanford type A acute aortic dissection soon (3-4 weeks) after primary cardiac surgery have distinctly different presentation, management, and postoperative outcome. In this report, we describe the clinical and surgical findings of a patient with early Stanford type A acute aortic dissection four weeks after primary coronary artery bypass grafting.

ABSTRACT Introduction: The quality of coronary anastomoses is one of the important parameters that may affect graft patency in coronary artery bypass grafting patients. Therefore, we compared two different anastomotic techniques to improve graft flow and patency rates. Methods: This study was conducted by performing two different fashions of anastomosis with a human saphenous vein graft on 24 various coronary segments of five postmortem porcine hearts. Each arteriotomy was used for both anastomotic techniques. In the first method, epicardial fat tissue around the coronary artery was involved to the saphenous vein anastomosis line (coronary wall and epicardial fat tissue [CWE] technique). In the second method, the saphenous vein graft was sutured to the coronary wall only, without involving epicardial fat tissue (only coronary wall [OCW] technique).The time it tookfor 30 cc of 0.9% isotonic saline solution to pass through the anastomosis in a free-flow fashion by gravity was measured following each technique. Additionally, the anastomotic areas in mm2 were measured and compared between the two techniques. Results: The mean flow time for the CWE technique was 77.5 ± 21.4 seconds, whereas for the OCW technique, it was 87.2 ± 19.5 seconds (P<0.001). The flow rates were 23.2 ml/min and 20.6 ml/min, respectively. The anastomotic area was 3.947 mm2 for the CWE technique and 1.430 mm2 for the OCW technique. Conclusion: When the sutures penetrate both the epicardial fat tissue and the coronary artery wall simultaneously, a larger anastomosis area can be created. Consequently, potentially better graft flow and hemodynamic performance could be achieved.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Today, due to the increase in the incidence of heart problems in people, we see an increase in the number of heart surgeries worldwide. Hearing disorders in the form of hearing loss have been reported as one of the side effects of this kind of surgery in some studies. Considering the evidence of the effect of open-heart surgery on patients’ hearing loss, this systematic review study was conducted to determine the frequency of hearing loss after open-heart surgery. Methods: To carry out this systematic review, studies that investigated hearing loss after open-heart surgery in Iran and the rest of world, published in Persian or English, and various international electronic databases including PubMed®, Web of Science, Scopus®, and authentic Persian sources (e.g., Irandoc and Scientific Information Database) until the end of 2021 have been indexed. Results: In the initial review, 46 of the 2230 initially searched articles had the conditions for further review. After checking the articles’ title and abstract and the working method of the studies and removing duplicates and incomplete articles, a total of 16 articles were included in the study. Then, their results were analyzed as the frequency of hearing loss after open-heart surgery by age and sex. Conclusion: The review of various studies confirms the fact that after open-heart surgery, the existence of evidence of hearing changes is not far from expected.

ABSTRACT Introduction: The Konno-Rastan procedure is a commonly used surgical technique to address complicated subaortic stenosis and to enlarge the aorta via an anterior route. The objective of this report is to describe the experience of our unit with this procedure. Methods: Between 2002 and 2022, we identified pediatric patients who underwent the Konno-Rastan procedure. Relevant information was retrospectively collected. Results: There were 16 patients who underwent the Konno-Rastan procedure. The median follow-up was nine years (4 - 16 years), and there was no operative mortality. All patients had a straightforward recovery, and five patients required reoperation at follow-up, none of which was related to the left ventricular outflow tract. The median echocardiographic indices at the most recent follow-up were not significantly different from the preoperative values, with a median peak gradient across the left ventricular outflow tract of 25 mmHg. In their most recent follow-up, 81% of the patients were New York Heart Association class 1. No bleeding, thromboembolic, or infective complications were encountered. Conclusion: We concluded that the Konno-Rastan procedure can be regarded as a definitive alternative to other surgical interventions for left ventricular outflow tract obstructions. Although reoperations are still necessary, particularly in patients with additional mitral valve disease, the Konno-Rastan procedure is still a viable option in patients with complex left ventricular disease.

ABSTRACT Introduction: The Biopsychosocial Prognosis Scale for Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (BIPROSCAB) assesses biophysical symptoms and psychosocial experiences following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), thereby enabling the targeting of interventions to improve post-procedure biopsychosocial prognosis. The aim of this study was to adapt the BIPROSCAB for use in Brazil and assess the content validity of the adapted version. Methods: For the cross-cultural adaptation, English-Portuguese translations, synthesis of translations, back-translations, assessment of back-translations for conceptual consistency by the authors of the original instrument, and evaluation of semantic, idiomatic, cultural, and conceptual equivalences by 11 expert judges were performed. Modifications were made based on suggestions until consensus > 80% was achieved. For the content validity assessment, experts assessed the clarity, theoretical relevance, and practical pertinence of the items, which were considered adequate when the content validity ratio (CVR) > 0.635. Post-CABG patients completed the questionnaire and evaluated understandability of the items. Results: Three rounds were required to achieve the desired agreement in the cross-cultural adaptation process. In the content evaluation by experts, only one round was needed, with CVR > 0.635. Following content evaluation by patients, it was decided to reverse the order of the response scale to an ascending order. Conclusion: The Brazilian version, BIPROSCAB-Br, is equivalent to the original instrument and has satisfactory evidence of content validity. Additional psychometric assessments are needed for use in Brazil.