Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia among patients scheduled for open heart surgery and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. According to international guidelines, symptomatic and selected asymptomatic patients should be offered concomitant surgical AF ablation in conjunction with valvular or coronary surgery. The gold standard in AF surgery is the Cox Maze III ("cut-and-sew") procedure, with surgical incisions in both atria according to a specified pattern, in order to prevent AF reentry circuits from developing. Over 90% of patients treated with the Cox Maze III procedure are free of AF after 1 year. Recent developments in ablation technology have introduced several energy sources capable of creating nonconducting atrial wall lesions. In addition, simplified lesion patterns have been suggested, but results with these techniques have been unsatisfactory. There is a clear need for standardization in AF surgery. The Swedish Arrhythmia Surgery Group, represented by surgeons from all Swedish units for cardiothoracic surgery, has therefore reached a consensus on surgical treatment of concomitant AF. This consensus emphasizes adherence to the lesion pattern in the Cox Maze III procedure and the use of biatrial lesions in nonparoxysmal AF.

Background. Re-exploration for bleeding after cardiac surgery is an indicator of substantial haemorrhage and is associated with increased hospital resource utilization. This study aimed to analyse the costs of re-exploration and estimate the costs of haemostatic prophylaxis. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanMethods. A total of 4232 patients underwent isolated, first-time, coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery during 2005-8. Each patient re-explored for bleeding (n = 127) was matched with two controls not requiring re-exploration (n = 254). Cost analysis was based on resource utilization from completion of CABG until discharge. A mean cost per patient for re-exploration was calculated. Based on this, the net cost of prophylactic treatment with haemostatic drugs for preventing re-exploration was calculated. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanResults. Patients undergoing re-exploration had higher exposure to clopidogrel before operation, prolonged stays in the intensive care unit, and more blood transfusions than controls. The mean incremental cost for re-exploration was (sic)6290 [95% confidence interval (CI) (sic)3408-(sic)9173] per patient, of which 48% [(sic)3001 (95% CI (sic)249-(sic)2147)] was due to prolonged stay, 31% [(sic)1928 (95% CI (sic)1710-(sic)2147)] to the cost of surgery/anaesthesia, 20% [(sic)1261 (95% CI (sic)1145-(sic)1378)] to the increased number of blood transfusions, and andlt;2% [(sic)100 (95% CI (sic)39-(sic)161)] to the cost of haemostatic drugs. A cost model, at an estimated 50% efficacy for recombinant activated clotting factor VIIa and a 50% expected risk for re-exploration without prophylaxis, demonstrated that to be cost neutral, prophylaxis of four patients needed to result in one avoided re-exploration. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanConclusions. The resource utilization costs were substantially higher in patients requiring re-exploration for bleeding. From a strict cost-effectiveness perspective, clinical interventions to prevent haemorrhage might be underutilized.

Objectives. To describe short-term clinical and echocardiography outcomes in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). To explore patient selection criteria for treatment with TAVI. Design. TAVI patients (n = 45) were matched to SAVR patients (n = 45) with respect to age within +/- 10 years, sex and systolic left ventricular function. Results. TAVI patients were older, 82 +/- 8 versus 78 +/- 5 years (p = 0.005) and they had higher logEuroSCORE, 16 +/- 11% versus 8 +/- 4% (p andlt; 0.001). There were no significant differences in 30 days mortality, stroke and myocardial infarction. TAVI patients received less erythrocyte (53% vs. 78%, p = 0.03) and thrombocyte (7% vs. 27%, p = 0.02) transfusions. Postoperative atrial fibrillation was less common (18% vs. 60%, p andlt; 0.001) in the TAVI group. Paravalvular regurgitation was more common in TAVI patients (87% vs. 0%, p andlt; 0.001) and 27% had access site complications. Aortic transvalvular velocity was 2.3 +/- 0.4 m/s versus 2.6 +/- 0.5 m/s (p = 0.002) and mean valve pressure gradient was 12 +/- 4 mmHg versus 15 +/- 5 mmHg (p = 0.01) in the TAVI and SAVR groups, respectively. Twenty-nine (64%) of the TAVI patients had logEuroSCORE andlt; 15%. Conclusions. Both TAVI and SAVR have good short term clinical outcome with excellent hemodynamic result. In clinical practice, factors other than high logEuroSCORE play an important role in patient selection for TAVI.

OBJECTIVES:

We have developed a method using transthoracic echocardiography in establishing optimal visualization of the aortic root, to reduce the amount of contrast medium used in each patient.

BACKGROUND:

During transcatheter aortic valve implantation, it is necessary to obtain an optimal fluoroscopic projection for deployment of the valve showing the aortic ostium with the three cusps aligned in the beam direction. This may require repeat aortic root angiograms at this stage of the procedure with a high amount of contrast medium with a risk of detrimental influence on renal function.

METHODS:

We studied the conventional way and an echo guided way to optimize visualisation of the aortic root. Echocardiography was used initially allowing easier alignment of the image intensifier with the transducer's direction.

RESULTS:

Contrast volumes, radiation/fluoroscopy exposure times, and postoperative creatinine levels were significantly less in patients having the echo-guided orientation of the optimal fluoroscopic angles compared with patients treated with the conventional approach.

CONCLUSION:

We present a user-friendly echo-guided method to facilitate fluoroscopy adjustment during transcatheter aortic valve implantation. In our series, the amounts of contrast medium and radiation have been significantly reduced, with a concomitant reduction in detrimental effects on renal function in the early postoperative phase.

Objective: Measurements of steady-state adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP) levels in tissue samples from patients or experimental animals with sepsis or endotoxemia provide little information about the rate of ATP production and consumption in these conditions. Accordingly, we sought to use an in vitro "reductionist" model of sepsis to test the hypothesis that proinflammatory cytokines modulate ATP turnover rate. Design: In vitro "reductionist" model of sepsis. Setting: University laboratory. Subjects: Cultured rat enterocyte-like cells. Interventions: IEC-6 nontransformed rat enterocytes were studied under control conditions or following incubation for 24 or 48 hrs with cytomix, a mixture of tumor necrosis factor-a (10 ng/mL), interleukin-1ß (1 ng/mL), and interferon-? (1000 units/mL). To measure ATP turnover rate, ATP synthesis was acutely blocked by adding to the cells a mixture of 2-deoxyglucose (10 mM), potassium cyanide (8 mM), and antimycin A (1 µM). ATP content was measured at baseline (before metabolic inhibition) and 0.5, 1, 2, 5, and 10 mins later. Log-linear ATP decay curves were generated and the kinetics of ATP utilization thereby calculated. Measurements and Main Results: ATP consumption rate was higher in cytomix-stimulated compared with control cells (3.11 ± 1.39 vs. 1.25 ± 0.66 nmol/min, respectively, p < .01). Similarly, the half-time for ATP disappearance was shorter in cytomix-stimulated compared with control cells (2.63 ± 1.00 vs. 6.21 ± 3.49, p < .05). In contrast to these findings, the rate of ATP disappearance was similar in cytokine-naïve and immunostimulated IEC-6 cells when protein and nucleic acid synthesis were inhibited by adding 50 µg/mL cycloheximide and 5 µg/mL actinomycin D to cultures for 4 hrs. The rates of glucose consumption and lactate production were significantly greater in cytomix-stimulated compared with controls cells. Conclusions: Incubation of IEC-6 cells with cytomix significantly increased ATP turnover. Increased ATP turnover rate was supported by increases in the rate of anaerobic glycolysis. These findings support the view that proinflammatory mediators impose a metabolic demand on visceral cells. In sepsis, cells may be more susceptible to dysfunction on the basis of diminished oxygen delivery and/or mitochondrial dysfunction.

We describe the transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) to two patients from a thoracic surgeon who was unaware of his hepatitis C infection. By partial sequencing of the non-structural 5B gene and phylogenetic analysis, the viruses from both patients were found to be closely related to genotype 1a strain from the surgeon. Two further hepatitis C cases were found in relation to the thoracic clinic. Their HCV sequences were related to each other but were of genotype 2b and the source of infection was never revealed. To elucidate the magnitude of the problem, we conducted a prospective study for a period of 17 months in which patients who were about to undergo thoracic surgery were asked to participate. Blood samples were drawn prior to surgery and at least four months later. The postoperative samples were then screened for anti-HCV and, if positive, the initial sample was also analysed. The only two patients (0.4%) identified were confirmed anti-HCV positive before surgery, and none out of 456 evaluable cases seroconverted to anti-HCV during the observation period. Despite the retrospectively identified cases, nosocomial hepatitis C is rare in our thoracic unit. The study points out the risk of transmission of hepatitis C from infected personnel and reiterates the need for universal precautions. © 2008 The Hospital Infection Society.

Objectives. The presence of a mechanical prosthesis has been regarded as an increased risk of thromboembolic complications and as a relative contraindication for a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). Five patients in our center had a mechanical aortic valve at the time of device implantation and were studied regarding thromboembolic complications. Design. Five patients operated upon with an LVAD (1 HeartMate I (TM), 4 HeartMate II (TM)) between 2002 and 2011 had a mechanical aortic valve at the time of implantation. The first patient had a patch closure of the aortic valve. In four patients, the prosthesis was left in place. Anticoagulants included aspirin, warfarin, and clopidogrel. Results. The average and accumulated treatment times were 150 and 752 days, respectively. Three of the five patients showed early signs of valve thrombosis on echo with concomitant valve dysfunction. Four patients were transplanted without thromboembolic events during pump treatment. One patient died from a hemorrhagic stroke after 90 days on the LVAD. Conclusions. The strategy of leaving a mechanical heart valve in place at the time of LVAD implantation in five patients led to valvular thrombosis in three but did not provoke embolic events. It increased the complexity of postoperative anticoagulation.

Left ventricle wall rupture is a feared complication in mitral valve surgery. We report a combined mitral valve anuloplasty and coronary artery bypass grafting procedure with severe, life-threatening bleeding complication due to left ventricular posterior wall rupture. The patient was successfully treated with a temporary left ventricular assist device to decompress the left ventricle in an attempt to minimize the bleeding, as the patient's condition did not allow standard repair of the left ventricle.

Purpose: Mitral regurgitation creates a high velocity jet into the left atrium (LA), contributing both volume andpressure; we hypothesized that the severity of regurgitation would be reflected in the degree of LA flowdistortion.

Material and Methods: Three-dimensional cine PC-MRI was applied to determine LA flow patterns andturbulent kinetic energy (TKE) in seven subjects (five patients with posterior mitral leaflet prolapse, two normalsubjects). In addition, the regurgitant volume and the time-velocity profiles in the pulmonary veins weremeasured.

Results: The LA flow in the mitral regurgitation patients was highly disturbed with elevated values of TKE.Peak TKE occurred consistently at late systole. The total LA TKE was closely related to the regurgitant volume.LA flow patterns were characterized by a pronounced vortex in proximity to the regurgitant jet. In some patients,pronounced discordances were observed between individual pulmonary venous inflows, but these could not berelated to the direction of the flow jet or parameters describing global LA hemodynamics.

Conclusion: PC-MRI permits investigations of atrial and pulmonary vein flow patterns and TKE in significantmitral regurgitation, reflecting the impact of the highly disturbed blood flow that accompanies this importantvalve disease.

INTRODUCTION. Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) affects platelets, and platelet dysfunction is considered to be an important risk factor for post-operative bleeding after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Monitoring platelet function in the peri-operative period therefore is of importance to reduce morbidity due to both bleeding and post-operative graft occlusion. Our aim was to study platelet reactivity in CABG patients in the peri-operative period.

METHODS. Platelet function in 30 patients undergoing CABG was analyzed using an impedance aggregometry point-of-care (POC) instrument (Multiplate). Platelet reactivity was measured preoperatively at induction of anaesthesia, preoperatively immediately before CPB, after 30 minutes of CPB, after end of CPB, postoperatively at arrival to the ICU and finally at 3 and 18 h after surgery. Whole blood platelet aggregation was measured after activation with ADP (adenosin diphosphate), TRAP (thrombin receptor activating peptide), AA (arachidonic acid) and collagen. Platelet count was measured, and circulating platelet pool was assessed by correcting for hemodilution by indexing to hemoglobin. Non-parametric statistics were used, results are presented as median and 25–75%-percentiles.

RESULTS. Reactivity to ADP, TRAP and AA agonists was significantly reduced at 30 min of CPB and at the end of CPB, followed by a rapid increase after CPB to preoperative values. Collagen showed a similar, but not significant, decrease during CPB followed by a post-CPB increase to values above baseline (p\0.001). Platelet count dropped after 30 min of CPB from 240 (204–301) preoperatively to 150 (132–189) after 30 min of CPB and further to 134 (120–151) 9 109/L at the end of CPB (p\0.001). Corrected for blood loss and hemodilution there was a reduced platelet pool at the end of CPB and at arrival at the ICU (p\0.001)

CONCLUSION. There is an early decrease in platelet reactivity during CPB followed by a rapid post-CPB restitution of platelet function, despite low preoperative aggregometry values and lower post-CPB platelet count. The rapid preoperative changes in aggregometry points to a possible role for POC analysis of hemostatic function. The post-CPB increase in platelet reactivity simultaneously to the decrease in platelet count could imply increased aggregating tendency for remaining platelets, with possible implications for early graft failure and postoperative anti-platelet therapy.

[No abstract available]

AIM:

Postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock (PCCS) is associated with high mortality rates, despite full conventional treatment. Although the results of treatment with surgically implantable ventricular assist devices have been encouraging, the invasiveness of this treatment limits its applicability. Several less invasive devices have been developed, including the Impella system. The objective of this study was to describe our three-center experience with the Impella 5.0 device in the setting of PCCS.

METHODS:

From January 2004 through December 2010, a total of 46 patients were diagnosed with treatment-refractory PCCS and treated with the Impella 5.0 percutaneous left ventricular assist device at three european heart centers. Baseline and follow-up characteristics were collected retrospectively and entered into a dedicated database.

RESULTS:

Within the study cohort of 46 patients, mean logistic and additive EuroSCORES were 24 ± 19 and 10 ± 4. The majority of patients underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (48%) or combined surgery (33%). Half of all patients had been treated with an intra-aortic balloon pump before 5.0-implantation, 1 patient had been treated with an Impella 2.5 device. All patients were on mechanical ventilation and intravenous inotropes. The Kaplan-Meier estimate of overall 30-day survival was 39.5%.

CONCLUSION:

Thirty-day survival rates for patients with PCCS, refractory to aggressive conventional treatment and treated with the Impella 5.0 device, are comparable to those reported in studies evaluating surgically implantable VADs, whereas the Impella system is much less invasive. Therefore, mechanical circulatory support with the Impella 5.0 device is a suitable treatment modality for patients with severe PCCS.

Objective. Pectoral muscle flaps (PMF) are effective in terminating protracted sternal wound infections (SWI) but long-term outcome remains uncertain. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate long-term outcome in patients treated with PMF. Design. Thirty-four of 263 patients revised because of deep SWI from 1991-2005 were treated with PMF. Of the 21 patients alive, 11 had left-sided, two right-sided and eight bilateral procedures. Sternal debridement without closure of the sternum was done in 17 patients. Nineteen of 21 patients responded to a questionnaire. Results. At follow-up on average 5.9 years (range 1.9-14.8 years) after surgery 63% (12/19) experienced unstable chest. Two thirds (12/18) reported problems carrying a grocery bag and 37% (7/19) had problems putting on a coat. Reduction of power and mobility was more common in the right arm and shoulder even in patients with left-sided PMF. Thirty-two percent (6/19) would have preferred alternative treatment if possible to avoid sternal instability even if healing had been substantially delayed. Conclusions. Surgery with PMF and sternal debridement was associated with long-term disability, which appeared to be significant in one third of the patients. The function of the right arm and shoulder was affected more often despite the majority of procedures being left-sided suggesting that loss of skeletal continuity of the chest wall is more disabling than loss of pectoral muscle function.

Purpose: To assess in vitro the three-dimensional mean velocity field and the extent and degree of turbulence intensity (TI) in different prosthetic heart valves using a generalization of phase-contrast MRI (PC-MRI). Materials and Methods: Four 27-mm aortic valves (Bjork-Shiley Monostrut tilting-disc, St. Jude Medical Standard bileaflet, Medtronic Mosaic stented and Freestyle stentless porcine valve) were tested under steady inflow conditions in a Plexiglas phantom. Three-dimensional PC-MRI data were acquired to measure the mean velocity field and the turbulent kinetic energy (TKE), a direction-independent measure of TI. Results: Velocity and TI estimates could be obtained up and downstream of the valves, except where metallic structure in the valves caused signal void. Distinct differences in the location, extent, and peak values of velocity and TI were observed between the valves tested. The maximum values of TKE varied between the different valves: tilting disc, 100 J/m(3); bileaflet, 115 J/m(3); stented, 200 J/m(3); stentless, 145 J/m(3). Conclusion: The TI downstream from a prosthetic heart valve is dependent on the specific valve design. Generalized PC-MRI can be used to quantify velocity and TI downstream from prosthetic heart valves, which may allow assessment of these aspects of prosthetic valvular function in postoperative patients.

Laser Doppler perfusion monitoring is a suitable method for microvascular blood perfusion measurements. When used on a moving tissue or organ, the Doppler signal arising from the moving blood cells may be distorted. ECG triggering of the laser Doppler signal can be used for reducing the influence from movements during measurements on the beating heart. The aim of this study was to determine the most appropriate triggering intervals during the cardiac cycle for online measurements. Recordings from thirteen coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients were included in the study. During surgery, the fibre-optic probe was passed through the chest wall and sutured to the left anterior ventricular wall with the probe tip inserted 3–5 mm into the myocardium. After the patient arrived at the intensive care unit a second measurement was initiated and lasted for about two hours. Before the probe was removed a third measurement was performed for about 5 minutes the following morning. A total of 97 data sequences were analysed and the intervals of low and stable perfusion signal were compared to the positions of the T and P peaks in the ECG.

It was found that the most appropriate time intervals were in late systole at the T peak [−3, 9] ms and just before the P peak [−28, -10] ms in late diastole. However, the position of these intervals may vary between individuals, because of e.g., abnormal cardiac motion. With the use of the appropriate interval online measurement of the myocardial perfusion on a beating heart appears possible.

Laser Doppler perfusion monitoring (LDPM) is a

method to assess microvascular perfusion. A modified,

ECG-triggered LDPM system has been developed to

measure myocardial perfusion with minimum influence

from heart motion. With this method, one systolic (PLS)

and one diastolic (PLD) perfusion value is obtained.

The aim of this study was to analyse breathing-related

variations in PLS and PLD measured during open-heart

surgery. The phase delays between PLS, PLD, mean

arterial blood pressure (MAP), heart rate and, indirectly,

the respiration were determined.

MAP tended to be in phase with or precede the

variations in PLD, i.e., PLD was at a maximum at the end

of inspiration or at the beginning of expiration. No clear

relation between PLS and any of the other signals could

be found.

Aims Knowledge of longitudinal left and right ventricular (LV and RV) function after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is scarce. We hypothesized that the longitudinal systolic biventricular function in aortic stenosis (AS) patients is affected differently by TAVI and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanMethods and results Thirty-three AS patients (all-TAVI group, age 81 +/- 9 years, 18 female), with EuroSCORE 18 +/- 9%, were accepted for TAVI. Seventeen of these patients were matched (by gender, age, and LV function) to 17 patients undergoing SAVR. Conventional echocardiographic parameters, systolic atrioventricular plane displacement (AVPD) at standard sites and peak systolic velocity (PSV) by pulsed tissue Doppler at basal RV free wall, LV lateral wall, and septum were studied before and 8 weeks after the procedure. Procedural success was 100%, and 30-day mortality 9%. In all TAVI patients, AVPD(lateral), PSV(lateral), AVPD(septal), and PSV(septal) increased (P andlt; 0.001, 0.003, 0.006 and 0.002). When studying the matched patients postoperatively, both the SAVR and TAVI patients had increased PSV(lateral) and AVPD(lateral) (SAVR: P = 0.03 and P = 0.04, TAVI: P = 0.04 and P = 0.01). The PSV(RV) increased in the all-TAVI group (P = 0.007), while the AVPD(RV) was unchanged. SAVR patients had decreased AVPD(RV) (P = 0.001) and PSV(RV) (P = 0.004), while the matched TAVI patients had unchanged RV function parameters. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanConclusion An improvement in regional longitudinal LV function in the septal and lateral wall could be seen after TAVI. Among the matched patients, both the TAVI and SAVR patients seemed to improve LV function in the lateral wall. RV systolic function increased in TAVI patients, but was impaired in the matched SAVR group at the 8-week follow-up.

Objectives

To evaluate longitudinal left and right ventricular function (LVF and RVF) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) as compared to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) and LVF and RVF after TAVI by the transfemoral (TF) or transapical (TA) approach.

Background

Knowledge about differences in recovery of LVF and RVF after TAVI and SAVR is scarce.

Methods

Sixty patients (age 81 ± 7 years, logistic EuroSCORE 16 ± 10%), undergoing TAVI (TF: n = 35 and TA: n  = 25), were examined by echocardiography including atrioventricular plane displacement (AVPD) and peak systolic velocities (PSV) by tissue Doppler at basal RV free wall, LV lateral wall and septum preprocedurally, 7 weeks and 6 months postprocedurally. Twenty-seven SAVR patients were matched to 27 TAVI patients by age, gender and LVF.

Results

Early postintervention, TAVI patients had improved longitudinal LVF. However, when analyzed separately, only TF, but not TA patients, had improved LV lateral and septal AVPD and PSV (all P ≤ 0.01). All TAVI patients, as well as the TF and TA group had unchanged longitudinal LVF between the early and late follow-ups (all P > 0.05). The SAVR group had higher septal LVF than the matched TAVI group preprocedurally, while postoperatively this difference was diminished. Longitudinal RVF was better in the TF group than in the TA group pre- and postprocedurally. Although the SAVR group had superior longitudinal RVF preoperatively, this was inferior to TAVI postoperatively.

Conclusions

Postprocedural longitudinal LVF and RVF in patients undergoing TF-TAVI, TA-TAVI, or SAVR differ considerably. Preservation of longitudinal RVF after TAVI might influence the selection of aortic valve intervention in the future.

n/a

In cardiac surgery, sternal wound infection (SWI) continues to be one of the most serious postoperative complications. Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) have become the most common causative agents of SWI. Prophylaxis with intravenous beta-lactam antibiotics (cephalosporins or in Sweden most commonly isoxazolyl penicillins) is routinely practised. However, many CoNS species are resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics. Vancomycin is often the only effective antibiotic available for treatment of these infections, but its use for routine prophylaxis is strongly discouraged because of the risk of increasing the selection of resistant bacteria.

The aim of this work was to develop and evaluate a new technique for antibiotic prophylaxis in cardiac surgery consisting of application of drug eluting collagen-gentamicin sponges in the sternal wound in addition to conventional intravenous antibiotics.

The antibiotic concentrations in the wound and serum achieved by routine intravenous dicloxacillin prophylaxis and those after application of local collagen-gentamicin in the sternal wound were investigated. These studies showed dicloxacillin levels adequate for prevention of infections by methicillin-susceptible staphylococci, and extremely high gentamicin levels in the wound fluid, during the first 8-12 hours postoperatively with the local application.

Two thousand cardiac surgery patients were then randomised to routine prophylaxis with intravenous isoxazolyl penicillin alone (control group) or to this prophylaxis combined with application of collagen-gentamicin (260 mg gentamicin) sponges within the sternotomy before wound closure. The primary end-point was any sternal wound infection within two months postoperatively.

Evaluation was possible in 983 and 967 patients in the treatment and control groups, respectively. The incidence of any sternal wound infection was 4.3% in the treatment group and 9.0 % in the control group (relative risk = 0.47, (95% confidence interval 0.33 to 0.68); P<0.001). The most common microbiological agents were CoNS, followed by Staphylococcus aureus. Local gentamicin reduced the incidence of SWIs caused by all major, clinically important microbiological agents except Propionibacterium acnes.

Assignment to the control group, high body mass index, diabetes mellitus, younger age, single or double internal mammary artery, left ventricular ejection fraction less than 35% and longer operation time were independent risk factors for SWI in a multivariable risk factor analysis.

In patients with additional sternal fixation wires (> six wires) the collagen-gentamicin prophylaxis was associated with an approximately 70 % reduction in the incidence of SWI at all depths and the application of collagen sponges between sternal halves may require particular attention regarding the stability of fixation.

A cost effectiveness analysis showed that the application of local collagen-gentamicin as prophylaxis was dominant, i.e. resulted in both lower costs and fewer wound infections.

Routine use of the described prophylaxis in all adult cardiac surgery patients could be recommended.

In a previous randomized controlled trial (LOGIP trial) the addition of local collagen-gentamicin reduced the incidence of postoperative sternal wound infections (SWI) compared with intravenous prophylaxis only. Consequently, the technique with local gentamicin was introduced in clinical routine at the two participating centers. The aim of the present study was to re-evaluate the technique regarding the prophylactic effect against SWI and to detect potential shifts in causative microbiological agents over time. All patients in this prospective two-center study received prophylaxis with application of two collagen-gentamicin sponges between the sternal halves in addition to routine intravenous antibiotics. All patients were followed for 60 days postoperatively. From January 2007 to May 2008, 1359 patients were included. The 60-day incidences of any SWI was 3.7% and of deep SWI 1.5% (1.0% mediastinitis). Both superficial and deep SWI were significantly reduced compared with the previous control group (OR=0.34 for deep SWI, Pless than0.001). There was no increase in the absolute incidence of aminoglycoside resistant agents. The majority of SWI were caused by coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS). The incidence of deep SWI caused by Staphylococcus aureus was 0.07%. The results indicate a maintained effect of the prophylaxis over time without absolute increase in aminoglycoside resistance.

Objectives. In a randomized trial addition of local collagen-gentamicin in the sternal wound reduced the rate of sternal wound infection (SWI) to about 50% compared to intravenous prophylaxis alone. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the economic rationale for its use in every-day clinical practice. This includes the question whether high-risk groups that may have particular benefit should be identified.

Design. For each patient with SWI in the trial the costs attributable to the SWI were calculated. Risk factors for SWI were identified and any heterogeneity of the effect of the prophylaxis examined.

Results. The mean cost of a SWI was about 14500 Euros. A cost effectiveness analysis showed that the prophylaxis was cost saving. The positive net balance was even higher in risk groups. Assignment to the control group, overweight, diabetes, younger age, mammarian artery use, left ventricular ejection fraction < 35% and longer operation time were independent risk factors for infection.

Conclusion. The addition of local collagen-gentamicin to intravenous antibiotic prophylaxis was dominant, i.e. resulted in both lower costs and fewer wound infections.

Carath is the name of a database and outcomes registry for cardiovascular surgery used and developed by four Swedish cardiothoracic centres in cooperation.  This report focuses on our experiences, positive and negative, of designing and implementing a “tailor made” database program for process control in mainly cardiac surgery. The system now provides valuable, and in some ways unique information on medical outcomes as well as administrative data. We have also become very aware of the difficulties involved in maintaining a good quality of data in multicentre medical registries. Several factors, not least the human factor, must be taken into account when building user friendly databases and quality registries. Variables must be well defined. Also, direct linking of data and outcomes directly from digitalised patient records has proved to be complicated - technically and due to the complexity of health care processes.

Sternal wound infection (SWI) is a serious complication after cardiac surgery. In a previous randomized controlled trial, the addition of local collagen-gentamicin in the sternal wound before wound closure was found to significantly reduce the incidence of postoperative wound infections compared with the routine intravenous prophylaxis of isoxazolyl-penicillin only. The aims of the present study were to analyse the microbiological findings of the SWIs from the previous trial as well as to correlate these findings with the clinical presentation of SWI. Differences in clinical presentation of SWIs, depending on the causative agent, could be identified. Most infections had a late, insidious onset, and the majority of these were caused by staphylococci, predominantly coagulase-negative staphylococci. The clinically most fulminant infections were caused by gram-negative bacteria and presented early after surgery. Local administration of gentamicin reduced the incidence of SWIs caused by all major, clinically important bacterial species. Propionibacterium acnes was identified as a possible cause of SWI and may be linked to instability in the sternal fixation. There was no indication of an increase in the occurrence of gentamicin-resistant bacterial isolates in the treatment group. Furthermore, the addition of local collagen-gentamicin reduced the incidence of SWIs caused by methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci. This technique warrants further evaluation as an alternative to prophylactic vancomycin in settings with a high prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

BACKGROUND: Sternal wound infections remain a major cause of morbidity after cardiac surgery. Vancomycin is often the only effective antibiotic available for their treatment but its use for routine prophylaxis is inadvisable for ecological reasons. Local application of gentamicin produces high antibiotic concentrations in the wound. We aimed to determine whether this treatment could have an additive effect on the incidence of sternal wound infections when combined with routine prophylaxis.

METHODS: Two thousand cardiac surgery patients were randomized to routine prophylaxis with intravenous isoxazolyl-penicillin alone (control group) or to this prophylaxis combined with application of collagen-gentamicin (260 mg gentamicin) sponges within the sternotomy before wound closure. Endpoint was any sternal wound infection within 2 months postoperatively. Evaluations were double-blind and made on an intention-to-treat basis.

RESULTS: Evaluation was possible in 967 and 983 patients in the control and treatment groups, respectively. The incidence of sternal wound infection was 4.3% in the treatment group and 9.0% in the control group (relative risk 0.47; 95% confidence interval 0.33–0.68; p < 0.001). Early reoperation for bleeding was more common in the treatment group (4.0% vs 2.3%, p = 0.03). No difference in postoperative renal function was noted.

CONCLUSIONS: Local collagen-gentamicin reduced the risk for postoperative sternal wound infections. Further studies are warranted to confirm these results, particularly with regard to deep infections.

Many patients are diagnosed as having chronic heart failure (CHF) and apart from the fact that daily activities are impaired, they are great consumers of health care, and the prognosis is poor. The distinction between acute heart failure (AHF) and CHF may be difficult and is more a question of time rather than severity. The “gold standard” treatment for end‐stage heart failure is heart transplantation. Due to organ shortage this is reserved for selected patients only. Since the introduction of mechanical circulatory support (MCS) more and more patients with progressive CHF have been bridged‐to‐heart‐transplantation. There are MCS systems available for both short‐ and long‐term support. Newer concepts such as ventricular constraint to prevent ventricular remodelling are on the way. We have investigated short‐ (ImpellaTM) and long‐term (HeartMateTM I and II) MCS and ventricular constraint (CorCapTM CSD) as treatment concepts for all forms of heart failure, the aims being: bridge‐to‐decision, bridge‐to‐transplant and extended therapy, called “destination therapy” (DT).

Methods and results: In Paper I, the use of HM‐ITM pulsatile MCS in bridge‐to‐transplantation patients in Sweden was retrospectively investigated regarding outcome and risk factors for mortality and morbidity. Fifty‐nine patients were treated between 1993 and 2002. The dominating diagnosis was dilated cardiomyopathy in 61%. Median support time was 99.5 days. 18.6% died before transplantation. Four patients needed RV assist due to right ventricular failure. Haemorrhage was an issue. Six patients (10%) suffered a cerebrovascular thromboembolic lesion. 15% developed driveline infection. 45% of the MCS patients were discharged home while on pump treatment. Massive blood transfusion was a predictor for mortality and morbidity, p<0.001.

In Paper II the second generation long‐term MCS, the continuous axial flow pump HM‐IITM, was prospectively evaluated for mortality and morbidity. Eleven patients, from 2005 until 2008, were consecutively included at our institution. One patient received the pump for DT. The median pump time was 155 days. Survival to transplantation was 81.8%. Ten patients could be discharged home before transplantation after a median time of 65 days.

Paper III investigated the Swedish experience and outcome of short‐term axial flow MCS, the ImpellaTM, in patients with AHF. Fifty patients were collected between 2003 and 2007 and divided into two groups: 1. Surgical group (n=33) with cardiogenic shock after cardiac surgery; and 2. Non‐surgical group (n=17), patients with AHF due to acute coronary syndromes with cardiogenic shock (53%) and myocarditis (29%). The 1‐year survival was 36% and 70%, respectively. 52% were reoperated because of bleeding. Predictors for survival at 30 days were preoperatively placed IABP (p=0.01), postoperatively cardiac output at 12 hours and Cardiac Power Output at 6 and 12 hours.

In Paper IV we evaluated the use and long term outcome of ventricular constraint CorCapTM CSD. Since 2003, 26 consecutive patients with chronic progressive heart failure were operated with CSD via sternotomy (n=25) or left mini‐thoracotomy (n=1). Seven patients were operated with CorCapTM only. Nineteen patients had concomitant cardiac surgery. There were three early and three late deaths. The remaining cohort (n=18) was investigated in a cross‐sectional study regarding QoL with SF‐36. There was no difference in QoL measured with SF‐36 after a mean 3‐years follow up period, when compared to an age‐ and sex‐matched control group from the general population. The one‐year survival was 86%, and after three years 76%. Echocardiographic dimensions had improved significantly after three years.

Conclusion: In our unit, a non‐transplanting medium‐sized cardiothoracic department, short‐ and long‐term MCS (ImpellaTM resp. HMTM) in patients with acute or chronic HF have been used with good results. The use of ventricular constraint early in the course of the disease is a good adjunct to other treatment options in progressive chronic HF patients.

Background. The use of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) is established as a bridge to heart transplantation. Methods. All Swedish patients on the waiting list for heart transplantation, treated with LVAD since 1993 were retrospectively collected into a database and analyzed in regards to risk factors for mortality and morbidity. Results. Fifty-nine patients (46 men) with a median age of 49 years (range, 14 to 69 years), Higgins score median of 9 (range, 3 to 15), EuroScore median of 10 (range, 5 to 17) were investigated. Dominating diagnoses were dilated cardiomyopathy in 61% (n = 36) and ischemic cardiomyopathy in 18.6% (n = 11). The patients were supported with LVAD for a median time of 99.5 days (range, 1 to 873 days). Forty-five (76%) patients received transplants, and 3 (5.1%) patients were weaned from the device. Eleven patients (18.6%) died during LVAD treatment. Risk factor analysis for mortality before heart transplantation showed significance for a high total amount of autologous blood transfusions (p < 0.001), days on mechanical ventilation postoperatively (p < 0.001), prolonged postoperative intensive care unit stay (p = 0.007), and high central venous pressure 24 hours postoperatively and at the final measurement (p = 0.03 and 0.01, respectively). Mortality with LVAD treatment was 18.6% (n = 11). High C-reactive protein (p = 0.001), low mean arterial pressure (p = 0.03), and high cardiac index (p = 0.03) preoperatively were risk factors for development of right ventricular failure during LVAD treatment. Conclusions. The Swedish experience with LVAD as a bridge to heart transplantation was retrospectively collected into a database. This included data from transplant and nontransplant centers. Figures of mortality and morbidity in the database were comparable to international experience. Specific risk factors were difficult to define retrospectively as a result of different protocols for follow-up among participating centers. © 2003 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.

Objectives. The Impella (R) recovery axial-flow system is a mechanical assist system for use in acute heart failure. This retrospective study reports the use of the device at three cardiothoracic units in Sweden. Design. Fifty patients (35 men, mean age 55.8 years, range 26 to 84 years) underwent implantation of 26 Impella (R) LP 2.5/5.0 (support-time 0.1 to 14 days), 16 Impella (R) LD (support-time 1 to 7 days) and 8 Impella (R) RD (support-time 0.1 to 8 days) between 2003 and 2007. Implantation was performed because of postcardiotomy heart failure (surgical group, n=33) or for various states of heart failure in cardiological patients (non-surgical group, n=17). The intention for the treatments was mainly to use the pump as a obridge-to-recoveryo. Results. Early mortality in the surgical and non-surgical groups was 45% and 23%, respectively. Complications included infection, 36% and right ventricular failure, 28%. Cardiac output and cardiac power output postoperatively were significantly higher among survivors than non-survivors. Conclusions. The Impella (R) recovery axial-flow system facilitates treatment in acute heart failure. Early intervention in patients with acute heart failure and optimized hemodynamics in the post-implantation period seem to be of importance for long-term survival. Insufficient early response to therapy should urge to consider further treatment options.

Background: Chronic heart failure have a poor prognosis with high morbidity and reduced quality of life. Ventricular constraint, the CorCap Cardiac Support Device (CSD) has been introduced with the intention of inducing reverse remodeling. Studies have shown sustained improvement in left ventricular dimensions and function after three years, but quality-of-life (QoL) has been poorly studied.

Methods and Results: Since 2003, 26 patients with chronic progressive heart failure met the inclusion criteria for CSD. They were prospectively followed each year for five years postoperatively. Nineteen patients were scheduled for concomitant cardiac surgery.

In a cross-sectional study, 18 patients were investigated regarding QoL using SF-36. A reference group was randomly selected from the Swedish SF-36 general population reference group.

One-year survival for CSD-patients was 86%, three-year survival was 76%. After a mean follow-up time after surgery of 3.9 years (range; 0.9 to 7 years), no difference in QoL measured with SF-36 was found. Echocardiographic dimensions and QoL improved significantly after three years for isolated CSD patients.

Conclusions: QoL in patients operated with CSD, measured with SF-36-questionnaire, more than three years after implantation, is comparable to a matched general population reference group. In the CSD group alone, QoL improved significantly after three years.

Objectives. Left ventricular assist devices (LVAD), used in the setting bridge-to-transplantation and destination therapy, for patients with deteriorating severe heart failure are continuously developing. The second generation, the axial flow pumps, have been introduced since some years. Design. Eleven consecutive patients, seven male, with severe heart failure due to ischemic cardiomyopathy (n = 5), dilated cardiomyopathy (n = 5) and cytotoxic ethiology (n = 1) were implanted with the HeartMate-II (TM). They were preoperatively treated with inotropic support (n = 9), ventricular assist device (n = 2) and mechanical ventilation (n = 4). Results. Eight patients were bridged to transplant after median 155 days (range, 65 to 316 days). One patient is ongoing for 748 days, intended for destination therapy. Ten of eleven patients were discharged after median 64 days (range, 40 to 105 days). Four patients were reoperated due to bleeding. Two embolic events were recorded. One perioperative death. Conclusion. Eleven HM-II (TM) LVADs have been implanted in our institution with good early results. Eight patients were successfully bridged to heart transplantation. One patient is intended for destination therapy and is ongoing since November 2006. In these severely ill patients, this technique offers a good chance surviving until heart transplantation. In selected cases the technique also offers the possibility of a permanent support and longevity.

There is growing concern that arterial catheters (ACs) cause catheter-related infections (CRIs). Limited data are available concerning risk factors for AC-CRI and there are no studies concerning incidence and micro-organisms from northern Europe. The aims of this study were to determine the incidence of, and micro-organisms responsible for, AC colonisation and AC-CRI in a Swedish intensive care unit (ICU), and to determine risk factors contributing to AC colonisation and AC-CRI. We prospectively studied all patients (N=539) receiving ACs (N=691) in a mixed ICU of a county hospital. Six hundred (87%) of all ACs were assessed completely. The total catheterisation time for 482 patients was 2567 days. The incidence of positive tip culture was 7.8 per 1000 catheter-days, with the predominant micro-organism being coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS). The incidence of AC-CRI was 2.0 per 1000 catheter-days (with no cases of bacteraemia). All AC-CRIs were caused by CoNS. Multivariate analysis revealed that immunosuppression, central venous catheter (CVC) colonisation and CVC infection were significant risk factors for AC-CRI. We conclude that AC colonisation and infection with systemic symptoms occur at a low rate in our ICU which supports our practice of basic hygiene routines for the prevention of AC-CRI. Colonisation and infection of a simultaneous CVC seem to be risk factors. The role of contemporaneous colonisation and infection of multiple bloodstream catheters has received little attention previously. Further studies are needed to verify the significance of this finding.

Background: There are limited data on the long term-effects of implementing a central venous catheter (CVC) program for prevention of CVC infections. The aims of this study were to evaluate the incidence of CVC colonization, catheter-related infections (CRI), catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI), and their risk factors, over a six year period.

Methods: A continuous prospective study aiming to include all CVCs used at our hospital during the years 2004-2009, evaluating colonization, CRI, CRBSI and possible risk factors.

Results: 2772 CVCs were used during the study period. Data on culture results and catheterization time were available for 2045 CVCs used in 1674 patients. The incidences of colonization, CRI and CRBSI were 7.0, 2.2 and 0.6 per 1000 CVC-days. Analysis of quarterly incidences revealed one occasion with increasing infection rates. Catheterization time was a risk factor for CRI, but not for CRBSI. Other risk factors for CRI were hemodialysis, CVC use in the internal jugular vein compared to the subclavian vein. Hemodialysis was the only risk factor for CRBSI.

Conclusion: We found that that a CRI prevention program adhered to by the entire staff at a county hospital is successful in keeping CVC infections at a low rate over a long period of time.