Physician Made Bovine Pericardial Tube Grafts in Aortic Infection: A European Multicentre Study

OBJECTIVE

This study examines outcome and durability of physician made bovine pericardial tube grafts in aortic infections in all anatomical locations.

METHODS

This was a retrospective and prospective international multicentre study. Peri-operative and long term outcomes of patients undergoing in situ aortic reconstruction for native or graft infections with physician made bovine pericardial tube grafts between January 2008 and December 2020 in four European tertiary referral centres were analysed. The primary endpoint was recurrent aortic infection. Secondary endpoints were persistent infection, aortic re-operation for infection, graft related complications, and death.

RESULTS

One hundred and sixty eight patients (77% male, mean age 67 ± 11 years) were identified: 38 (23%) with native and 130 (77%) with aortic graft infection. The thirty day mortality rate was 15% (n = 26) overall, 11% (n = 4), and 17% (n = 22) for native and aortic graft infections, respectively (p = .45). Median follow up was 26 months (interquartile range [IQR] 10, 51). Estimated survival at one, two, three, and five years was 64%, 60%, 57%, and 50%, and significantly better for native (81%, 77%, 77%, and 69%) than for graft infections (58%, 55%, 51%, and 44%; p = .011). Nine patients (5.3%) had persistent infection and 10 patients (6%) had aortic re-infection after a median of 10 months (IQR 5, 22), resulting in an estimated freedom from re-infection at one, two, three, and five years of 94%, 92%, 90%, and 86%. Estimated freedom from graft complications at one, two, three, and five years was 91%, 89%, 87%, and 87%.

CONCLUSION

This multicentre study demonstrates low re-infection rates when using physician made bovine pericardial tube grafts, comparable to those of other biological grafts. The rate of graft complications, mainly anastomotic aneurysms and stenoses, was low, while graft degeneration was absent. Physician made bovine pericardial tube grafts are an excellent tool for in situ reconstruction in the setting of native aortic infection or aortic graft infection.

Treatment of Aorto-iliac and Infrainguinal Vascular Infections with a Prefabricated Bovine Pericardial Graft

BACKGROUND

The use of biological grafts provides acceptable mid- and long-term results in native or prosthetic vascular infections. Several reports describe the successful use of bovine pericardium in case of vascular infections, mainly as a large patch to be sutured as a tubular graft. Recently, a novel prefabricated bovine pericardium graft (Biointegral Surgical No-React® Inc, Mississauga, ON, Canada) has been introduced in clinical practice with promising results. In this study, we report our preliminary experience utilizing Biointegral Surgical graft in case of native and or prosthetic aorto-iliac and infrainguinal infection.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed data from 20 patients with native or prosthetic aorto-iliac and infrainguinal infection who underwent in situ reconstruction (ISR) with a Biointegral Surgical No-React bovine pericardium prosthesis between October 2020 and February 2023 at the Vascular Surgery Unit of the Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Gemelli - IRCCS in Rome, Italy. All patients followed a standardized protocol including postoperative anticoagulation and long-term intravenous antibiotics.

RESULTS

The indication for surgery was: mycotic aortic aneurysm in 4 patients (20%), graft infection after abdominal aortic repair in 11 patients (55%), peripheral graft infection in 5 patients (25%). Complete excision of the infected aorta or prosthetic graft, surgical debridement and ISR were performed in all patients. Hospital mortality rate was 5% (n = 1) and graft-related mortality of 0%. During follow-up (median 13 months, range 6-34 months), reinfection was 5.2% and primary graft patency 94.7%.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of prefabricated bovine pericardial grafts represents a promising option for the treatment of native and prosthetic aorto-iliac and infrainguinal infections. The application of this biological graft with a standardized postoperative protocol has been associated with a satisfactory patency and reinfection rate without increased bleeding complications.

Early and midterm outcomes of a bentall operation using an all-biological valved BioConduit™

OBJECTIVES

To analyze the midterm results of aortic root replacement using the valved, all biological, No React®, BioConduit™.

METHODS

From 2017 to 2020, we prospectively followed 91 consecutive patients who underwent a Bentall procedure with a BioConduit™ valved graft in our institution. The primary outcomes were aortic bioprosthetic valve dysfunction and mortality according to Valve Academic Research Consortium 3 (VARC3).

RESULTS

Mean age was 70 ± 10 years and 67 patients (74%) were men. Ascending aortic aneurysm (72%), aortic valve regurgitation (51%) or stenosis (20%) and acute endocarditis (14%) were the main indications for surgery. Seventy-four patients (81.3%) were followed up at 1 year. The perioperative mortality was 8% (n = 8), the early, 1 year, mortality was 2% (n = 2) and the midterm mortality, at 4 years of follow up, was 4% (n = 3). Ten patients fulfilled the criteria for hemodynamic valve deterioration at 1 year (13%) and 14 for a bioprosthetic valve failure during the entire follow-up (17%).

CONCLUSIONS

We are reporting early and midterm results of Bentall procedures with the all-biological, valved, No-React® BioConduit™. To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting an early and midterm unexpectedly high rate of non-structural prosthetic hemodynamic deterioration. The rate of endocarditis and atrioventricular disconnections remain similar to previous studies.

High incidence of fever in patients after biointegral pulmonic valved conduit implantation

OBJECTIVE

To describe our short- and medium-term outcomes using the BioIntegral pulmonic conduit.

METHODS

Between August 2018 and September 2019, the BioIntegral pulmonic valved conduit was used for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction in 48 patients. The data were retrospectively retrieved from the patient charts.

RESULTS

The median age at surgery was 36 months (interquartile range [IQR] = 18-62 months). The diagnoses were pulmonary atresia-ventricular septal defect in 28 patients, absent pulmonary valve in four patients, truncus arteriosus in six patients, TGA-VSD-PS in five patients, conduit stenosis in three patients, and left venticular outflow tract obstruction requiring a Ross operation in two patients. In the postoperative short-term follow-up, 15 patients out of 48 had a high fever. Of these, 12 patients had concomitantly elevated C-reactive protein levels. There were no patients with blood culture positivity. The median postoperative length of hospital stay was 14 days (IQR = 8-21 days). The overall mortality was 4% in two patients, one died of right ventricular failure and multiple organ failure and one died of pulmonary embolism. The two patients who died were not among the 15 patients with fever. However, four patients with fever underwent balloon angioplasty for conduit restenosis in their medium-term follow-up.

CONCLUSION

There was a high incidence of fever and adverse outcomes in the short-term postoperative follow-up of patients in whom the BioIntegral pulmonic valved conduit was implanted. Caution is advisable in using these conduits until there is convincing evidence about the sterilization and storage standards of these grafts.

Placement of Labcor Pulmonary Conduit Results in a High Incidence of Postoperative Fever

BACKGROUND

Fever in the postoperative period in cardiac patients is common. The purpose of this study is to recognize the risk factors for prolonged postoperative fever in cardiac patients with pulmonary conduit insertion.

METHODS

Patients were identified retrospectively by looking at the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification procedure code for pulmonary conduit insertion between June 2009 and December 2015 at the American University of Beirut Medical Center. Data about preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative variables were collected. Data entry and analysis were performed using SPSS version 22.

RESULTS

The study identified 59 patients. The most common type of pulmonary conduit used was the Contegra type (57.6%) (n = 34), followed by the Labcor type (20.3%; n = 12). Postoperative fever occurred in 61% of patients (n = 36). Fourteen patients (38.8%) had a prolonged fever that lasted for more than seven days. Prolonged postoperative fever was significantly associated with the Labcor pulmonary conduit (P value < .001) and a longer duration of pacing wires (P value: .039). Significantly prolonged fever that lasted for more than 21 days occurred in five patients who all had inserted the Labcor pulmonary conduit.

CONCLUSIONS

The Labcor pulmonary conduit type is a risk factor for prolonged postoperative fever. The protracted use of pacing wires could be a consequence of the prolonged fever rather than a cause. In the absence of a demonstrable infectious etiology for prolonged postoperative fever in cardiac patients with pulmonary conduit insertion, the Labcor pulmonary conduit could be the underlying cause. Alternative management of such cases may lead to decreased antibiotic use and morbidity.

Long-term follow-up of the Shelhigh™ superstentless bioprosthesis aortic valve and valved conduit in a monocentric experience

BACKGROUND

The Shelhigh™ SuperStentless (Shelhigh, INC., Union, NJ, USA) is a stentless aortic valve bioprosthesis and aortic root valved conduit. In 2007, this device was recalled by FDA due to malfunction, and subsequently reintegrated by BioIntegral Surgical™ Few data are available over late durability of this device. We performed a long-term follow-up of Shelhigh™ devices implanted at our center.

METHODS

Between 2002 and 2007, 44 patients underwent aortic valve replacement with a Shelhigh™ device (40 aortic valve bioprosthesis and 4 valved conduit). We performed a clinical and echocardiographic follow-up (9.2 years±4.3). Standardized definitions of valve-related events were adopted.

RESULTS

At discharge, maximum and mean aortic gradients averaged 36.1±11.3 and 21.0±6.8 mmHg, respectively. The 30-days mortality was 2.3%. Over the follow-up period, 29 patients died (65.9%); 2 deaths were valve related. Overall survival at 1, 5 and 10 years was 97.7%, 85.8% and 54% respectively. At last echocardiography, average transvalvular gradients had remained globally stable in the population (33.6±12 and 20.4±10.5 mmHg). Eight (19%) structural valve deterioration (SVD) events were reported. Two (5%) non-structural valve dysfunction (NSVD) events occurred (periprosthetic leak). Two (5%) infectious endocarditis events and two (5%) valve thromboses were also deplored. Three (7%) patients required re-operation (2 due to SVD and 1 due to endocarditis).

CONCLUSIONS

The immediate hemodynamic performance of the Shelhigh™ aortic bioprostheses was unexpectedly suboptimal. Despite this, hemodynamic performance remained stable over time. Patients survival at follow-up was satisfactory, however, continued surveillance is necessary.

Early outcomes of native and graft-related abdominal aortic infection managed with orthotopic xenopericardial grafts

OBJECTIVE

Reconstruction of infected aortic cases has shifted from extra-anatomic to in situ. This study reports the surgical strategy and early outcomes of abdominal aortic reconstruction in both native and graft-related aortic infection with in situ xenopericardial grafts.

METHODS

Included in the analysis are 21 consecutive patients (mean age, 69 years; 20 male) who underwent abdominal xenopericardial in situ reconstruction of native aortic infection (4) and endovascular (4) or open (13) graft aortic infection between July 2017 and September 2019. All repairs were performed on an urgent basis, but none were ruptured. All patients were followed up with clinical and biologic evaluation, ultrasound at 3 months, and computed tomography scan at 6 months and 1 year.

RESULTS

Technical success was 100%; 8 patients were treated with xenopericardial tubes and 13 with bifurcated grafts. Thirty-day mortality was 4.7% (one death due to pneumonia with respiratory hypoxic failure in critical care.). Six patients (28%) developed acute kidney injury, four (19%) requiring temporary dialysis; five fully recovered and one died. Four patients (19%) required a return to the operating room. After a median follow-up of 14 months (range, 1-26 months), overall mortality was 19% (n = 4). Two patients presented with recurrent sepsis after reconstruction, leading to death due to multiorgan failure. Other patients (17/21) have discontinued antibiotics with no evidence of recurrence of infection clinically, radiologically, or on blood tests. Computed tomography scans at 1 year demonstrated no stenosis or graft dilation and one asymptomatic left graft branch thrombosis. Primary patency is 95%.

CONCLUSIONS

In situ xenopericardial aortic reconstruction is a safe and effective management strategy for both native and graft-related abdominal aortic infection with good short-term results. The graft demonstrates appropriate resistance to infection such that reliable eradication of infection in this vascular bed is possible. Longer follow-up is required in future studies to determine the durability of the reconstruction and need for reinterventions.

Mid-term single-center outcomes of BioIntegral compared to Freestyle aortic conduit implantation

BACKGROUND

Full aortic root replacement with biological conduit has limited options. This non-randomized cohort study aims to compare mid-term clinical and hemodynamic results of the BioIntegral (BI) composite biological versus the stentless Freestyle (FS) conduits in patients undergoing full aortic root replacement.

METHODS

From February 2013 to July 2017, 265 patients underwent aortic root replacement at a single institution (202 BI, 65 FS). Preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative parameters, complications including stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), endocarditis and reoperation were studied. Hemodynamic performance of both conduits was analyzed by echocardiography. Target endpoints were 30-day mortality, two-year survival, two-year freedom from major adverse valve-related and cardiovascular events.

RESULTS

Wider BI conduits were used (BI 27±2 vs. FS 25±2 mm, P<0.0001). The BI group had shorter cardiopulmonary bypass (BI 165±67 vs. FS 200±78 min, P<0.0001) and cross-clamp (BI 102±36 vs. FS 122±40 min, P=0.001) times. Thirty-day mortality was similar in both groups. There were fewer conduit-related reoperations in the BI group (BI 0% vs. FS 3%, P=0.012) but higher postoperative atrial fibrillation (BI 31% vs. FS 17%, P=0.025). No significant differences were observed for stroke (BI 5% vs. FS 10%, P=0.947), MI (BI 3% vs. FS 4%, P=0.583), or infective endocarditis (BI 0% vs. FS 2%, P=0.077). No significant hemodynamic differences were evident on follow-up echocardiography while an improved overall survival trend was seen in the BI group (P=0.062).

CONCLUSIONS

FS and BI provide comparable clinical mid-term results and hemodynamic parameters. Simplified implantation technique providing shorter cardiopulmonary bypass and operation times are advantageous for BI.

Initial experience with xenograft bioconduit for the treatment of complex prosthetic valve endocarditis

INTRODUCTION

The treatment of complex prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) with aortic root abscess remains a surgical challenge. Several studies support the use of biological tissues to minimize the risk of recurrent infection. We present our initial surgical experience with the use of an aortic xenograft conduit for aortic valve and root replacement.

METHODS

Between October 2013 and August 2015, 15 xenograft bioconduits were implanted for complex PVE with abscess (13.3% female). In 6 patients, concomitant procedures were performed: coronary bypass (n=1), mitral valve replacement (n=5) and tricuspid annuloplasty (n=1). The mean age at operation was 60.3±15.5 years. The mean Logistic European system for cardiac operating risk evaluation (EuroSCORE) was 46.6±23.6. The median follow-up time was 607±328 days (range: 172-1074 days).

RESULTS

There were two in-hospital deaths (14.3% mortality), two strokes (14.3%) and seven patients required permanent pacemaker insertion for conduction abnormalities (46.7%). The mean length of hospital stay was 26 days. At pre-discharge echocardiography, the conduit mean gradient was 9.3±3.3mmHg and there was either none (n=6), trace (n=6) or mild aortic insufficiency (n=1). There was no incidence of mid-term death, prosthesis-related complications or recurrent endocarditis.

CONCLUSIONS

Xenograft bioconduits may be safe and effective for aortic valve and root replacement for complex PVE with aortic root abscess. Although excess early mortality reflects the complexity of the patient population, there was good valve hemodynamics, with no incidence of recurrent endocarditis or prosthesis failure in the mid-term. Our data support the continued use and evaluation of this biological prosthesis in this high-risk patient cohort.