Association between individual surgeon volume and outcome in mitral valve surgery: a systematic review

Analysis of Acute Cerebrovascular Accidents following Cardiovascular Surgical Procedures: A Comprehensive 17-year Study Involving 24,412 Patients at a Leading Tertiary Care Institution in the United Kingdom

BACKGROUND

The primary objective of this study is to quantify the incidence of stroke following cardiac surgery over 17 years at our center. Additionally, we evaluated the potential risk factors leading to postoperative stroke in these patients.

METHODS

Patient characteristics and perioperative data were collected for 24,412 patients undergoing surgery at our center between January 2005 and December 2021. We identified the patients who developed postoperative stroke and assessed potential risk factors. Chi-squared and Mann-Whitney U-tests were used for intergroup comparisons. Independent risk factors were evaluated by univariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

In our cohort, we identified 346 patients (1.4%) with postoperative stroke. After adjusting for possible confounders, the following were significant risk factors: previous cardiac surgery (odds ratio [OR]: 1.6; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2-2.2; P = 0.004), EuroSCORE II of 1-1.9 (OR: 2.1; CI :1-4.2; P = 0.048), 2-4.9 (OR: 3.3; CI: 1.7-6.6; P = 0.001), 5-9.9 (OR: 3.6; CI: 1.7-7.5; P = 0.001), and ≥10 (OR: 3.4; CI: 1.6-7.5; P = 0.002), EuroSCORE additive of 5-9 (OR: 2.4; CI: 1.2-4.7; P = 0.013) and ≥10 (OR: 2.7; CI: 1.2-6.2; P = 0.020), requiring new postoperative hemofiltration/dialysis (OR: 4.0; CI: 2.9-5.5, P < 0.001), Stanford type A dissections (OR: 2.3; CI: 1.1-4.7; P = 0.020), returning to theater for bleeding/tamponade (OR: 3.2; CI: 2.2-4.6; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The incidence of stroke following surgery is low with many predisposing factors. Nevertheless, identifying patients at increased risk of stroke may enhance informed consent, preoperative planning, and perioperative strategies.

Minimally invasive mitral valve surgery for mitral valve prolapse: a comparison between fibro-elastic deficiency and Barlow's disease

OBJECTIVES

Within the spectrum of degenerative mitral valve (MV) prolapse, Barlow's disease remains a risk factor for suboptimal long-term outcomes after MV repair (MVr). This study reports on the results of MVr through minimally invasive surgery benchmarking patients with Barlow's disease to fibro-elastic deficiency (FED).

METHODS

Between July 2008 and December 2021, 246 patients underwent MVr for degenerative MV prolapse via minimally invasive surgery, including 180 FED and 66 Barlow patients. Study end-points focused on 10-year survival, MV reoperation and recurrence of MV regurgitation ≥grade 2.

RESULTS

Barlow patients were significantly younger (Barlow: 58 years (IQR 47-67); FED: 68 years (IQR 60-76), P < 0.001), showing more complex MV prolapse than FED patients. The overall 30 day-mortality was 0.4%. Survival at 10 years was 78.8 ± 11.3% and 64.5 ± 7.4% (P = 0.161) in Barlow and FED patients, respectively. The cumulative incidence of MV reoperation at 10 years was comparable between Barlow and FED patients (FED: 9.7 ± 3.1%; Barlow: 8.0 ± 4.7%, P = 0.645). The cumulative incidence of mitral regurgitation recurrence ≥grade 2 was 3.0 ± 1.4% and 6.8 ± 3.1% at 5 and 10 years overall. Mitral regurgitation recurrence rate at 10 years was higher in Barlow patients, but the difference was not significant (FED: 3.3 ± 1.7% at 10 years; Barlow: 11.1 ± 8.7% at 10 years, P = 0.765).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite more extensive MV prolapse in Barlow patients, MVr through minimally surgical access can be achieved with a mid-term outcome comparable to patients with FED. Concentrating the expertise to increase the individual surgeon's experience for surgical approach as the MV procedure itself allowed to achieve outcome results concurrent with those reported by high-volume centres.

Image-based simulation of mitral valve dynamic closure including anisotropy

Simulation of the dynamic behavior of mitral valve closure could improve clinical treatment by predicting surgical procedures outcome. We propose here a method to achieve this goal by using the immersed boundary method. In order to go towards patient-based simulation, we tailor our method to be adapted to a valve extracted from medical image data. It includes investigating segmentation process, smoothness of geometry, case setup and the shape of the left ventricle. We also study the influence of leaflet tissue anisotropy on the quality of the valve closure by comparing with an isotropic model. As part of the anisotropy analysis, we study the influence of the principal material direction by comparing methods to obtain them without dissection. Results show that our method can be scaled to various image-based data. We evaluate the mitral valve closure quality based on measuring bulging area, contact map, and flow rate. The results show also that the anisotropic material model more precisely represents the physiological characteristics of the valve tissue. Furthermore, results indicate that the orientation of the principal material direction plays a role in the effectiveness of the valve seal.

Importance of surgeon's experience in practicing valve-sparing aortic root replacement

Background

Valve-sparing root replacement (VSRR) requires a unique skill set. This study aimed to examine the influence of surgeon's procedural volume on outcomes of VSRR.

Methods

This retrospective study included 1697 patients from 2 large, high-volume aortic centers who underwent aortic root replacement (ARR) between 2004 and 2021 and were potentially eligible for VSRR. Surgeons were classified as performing <5 ARRs or ≥5 ARRs annually. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the independent association of surgeon volume and the decision to perform VSRR. Inverse probability treatment weighting (IPTW) was used to match patients who were operated on by <5 ARR surgeons or ≥5 ARR surgeons and compare long-term survival probability. Cumulative incidence curves with mortality as a competing risk were plotted to compare the rate of aortic valve reoperation.

Results

Of 1697 patients who met the study inclusion criteria, 944 underwent composite-valve conduit ARR and 753 underwent VSRR. The median age of the cohort was 57 years (interquartile range, 45-66 years), and 268 (15.8%) were female. Aortic insufficiency was present in 1105 patients (65.1%), and 200 of the procedures (11.8%) were reoperations. The indication for surgery was aneurysm in 1496 patients (88.2%) and dissection in 201 (11.8%). Among the 743 patients who underwent VSRR, 691 (92%) were operated on by ≥ 5 ARR surgeons and 62 (8%) were operated on by <5 ARR surgeons. In multivariable logistic regression, ≥5 ARRs (odds ratio, 3.33; 95% confidence interval, 2.34-4.73; P < .001) was associated with VSRR as the procedure of choice. Following IPTW, there was no significant difference between <5 ARR and ≥5 ARR surgeons in survival probability after VSRR (P = .59) or in the rate of aortic valve reoperation (P = .60).

Conclusions

In the setting of a high-volume aortic center, patients who undergo ARR are less likely to receive VSRR if operated on by a <5 ARR surgeon; however, VSRR may be safely performed by <5 ARR surgeons.

Disparities in Mitral Valve Disease Associated with Heart Failure

Heart failure (HF) affects millions of people around the world and is a prevalent health issue in the United States. In many cases, HF has an intricate connection with mitral valvular disease (MVD), which can alter a patient's disease course. Factors such as gender, race, ethnicity, and social determinants of health impact the prevalence, etiology, and treatment of MVD associated with HF. This literature review examines the connection between MVD and HF among adult patients, considering MVD as both a cause and an outcome of HF. This article also identifies the differences in epidemiology and treatment of MVD associated with HF across different gender, ethnicity, race, and socioeconomic groups. This is in an effort to not only identify currently overlooked disparities but to highlight potential ways to improve them. MVD was analyzed based on its hemodynamic subtypes, mitral regurgitation (MR) and mitral stenosis (MS), as these subtypes encompass different etiologies of MVD. The purpose of this article was to identify broad disparities in MVD in association with HF in the adult population. The results of this study found stark differences between prevalence, treatment, and disease outcomes across groups. Women and Black patients were identified as high-risk for under-utilization and prescription delay of treatment options. Women were often treated at more advanced stages of MVD, while treatment was often delayed in Black patient populations. Factors such as these impact treatment outcomes. Conversely, men and White patients were identified as lower-risk groups for treatment inadequacies and poor HF and MVD related outcomes. Socioeconomic status (SES) was also found to play a role, with low SES being a risk factor for developing rheumatic heart disease. Low SES groups are also more likely to develop HF, which predisposes to secondary MR. Despite general knowledge of these disparities, few studies analyze HF and MVD for specific groups. This literature review is thus necessary to identify current inequities in care and underscore potential solutions to raise awareness for further research efforts and funding. This analysis identifies MVD treatment guidelines and contributing social determinants of health as areas that must be addressed to minimize HF and MVD disparities.

The Potential of Intertwining Gene Diagnostics and Surgery for Mitral Valve Prolapse

Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is common among heart valve disease patients, causing severe mitral regurgitation (MR). Although complications such as cardiac arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death are rare, the high prevalence of the condition leads to a significant number of such events. Through next-generation gene sequencing approaches, predisposing genetic components have been shown to play a crucial role in the development of MVP. After the discovery of the X-linked inheritance of filamin A, autosomal inherited genes were identified. In addition, the study of sporadic MVP identified several genes, including DZIP1, TNS1, LMCD1, GLIS1, PTPRJ, FLYWCH, and MMP2. The early screening of these genetic predispositions may help to determine the patient population at risk for severe complications of MVP and impact the timing of reconstructive surgery. Surgical mitral valve repair is an effective treatment option for MVP, resulting in excellent short- and long-term outcomes. Repair rates in excess of 95% and low complication rates have been consistently reported for minimally invasive mitral valve repair performed in high-volume centers. We therefore conceptualize a potential preventive surgical strategy for the treatment of MVP in patients with genetic predisposition, which is currently not considered in guideline recommendations. Further genetic studies on MVP pathology and large prospective clinical trials will be required to support such an approach.

An international survey-based assessment of minimally invasive mitral valve surgery

OBJECTIVES

Minimally invasive mitral valve surgery (MIMVS) has been shown to be safe and feasible however its adoption has lagged globally. The international consortium is lacking a set of guidelines that are specific to MIMVS. The aim of this study was to capture the practices of MIMVS in different centres.

METHODS

A survey was constructed containing 52 multiple-choice and open-ended questions about various aspects of MIMVS. The survey was sent to centres that routinely and frequently perform MIMVS. All surgeons provided informed consent for participating in the survey and publication of data.

RESULTS

The survey was sent to 75 known surgeons from whom 32 (42%) completed the survey. All survey responders performed >25 MIMVS cases annually. Twenty (68%) of the surgeons thought that simulation training, MIMVS fellowship and proctorship are all essential prior to commencing an MIMVS program. Eleven (34%) of the surgeons stated that 50-100 MIMVS cases are required to overcome the learning curve, followed by 6 (18%) who said 21-30 cases should suffice. Eighteen (62%) of the surgeons had adopted a fully endoscopic approach for their MIMVS, followed by 15 (51%) surgeons who had performed cases via endoscopic-assisted strategies, 5 (17%) surgeons had conducted the operation under direct visualization and 6 (20%) surgeons had used a robot for their MIMVS.

CONCLUSIONS

The study highlights a marked variability on training and approach to MIMVS. Consensus guidelines should be established to allow standardization of MIMVS.

Minimally invasive approach associated with lower resource utilization after aortic and mitral valve surgery

Objective

To investigate the effect of minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) on resource utilization, cost, and postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing left-heart valve operations.

Methods

Data were retrospectively reviewed for patients undergoing single-valve surgery (eg, aortic valve replacement, mitral valve replacement, or mitral valve repair) at a single center from 2018 to 2021, stratified by surgical approach: MICS vs full sternotomy (FS). Baseline characteristics and postoperative outcomes were compared. Primary outcome was high resource utilization, defined as direct procedure cost higher than the third quartile or either postoperative LOS ≥7 days or 30-day readmission. Secondary outcomes were direct cost, length of stay, 30-day readmission, in-hospital and 30-day mortality, and major morbidity. Multiple regression analysis was conducted, controlling for baseline characteristics, operative approach, valve operation, and lead surgeon to assess high resource utilization.

Results

MICS was correlated with a significantly lower rate of high resource utilization (MICS, 31.25% [n = 115] vs FS 61.29% [n = 76]; P < .001). Median postoperative length of stay (MICS, 4 days [range, 3-6 days] vs FS, 6 days [range, 4 to 9 days]; P < .001) and direct cost (MICS, $22,900 [$19,500-$28,600] vs FS, $31,900 [$25,900-$50,000]; P < .001) were lower in the MICS group. FS patients were more likely to experience postoperative atrial fibrillation (P = .040) and renal failure (P = .027). Other outcomes did not differ between groups. Controlling for stratified Society of Thoracic Surgeons predicted risk of mortality, cardiac valve operation, and lead surgeon, FS demonstrated increased likelihood of high resource utilization (P < .001).

Conclusions

MICS for left-heart valve pathology demonstrated improved postoperative outcomes and resource utilization.

Mastering the learning curve of endoscopic mitral valve surgery

Endoscopic mitral valve surgery is a challenging procedure. Surgical volume is mandatory to achieve sufficient proficiency and superior results. To this date the learning curve has proven to be challenging. Offering high-fidelity simulation based training for both residents as experienced surgeons can help in establishing and enlarging surgical competences in shorter time without intraoperative trial and error.

Disparities in Benign Gynecologic Surgical Care

A person's health is not only affected by their disease states, but also the quality of care and posttreatment sequelae. Research shows that disparities exist in benign gynecologic surgery access to care, techniques, and perioperative outcomes. Surgical education, pathways that emphasize minimally invasive approaches, and patient-centered care that recognizes historical influences on patient perspectives are critical to dampening these disparities.