Faculty Bibliography

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with increased rates of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). Pulmonary Embolism Response Teams (PERT) have previously been associated with improved outcomes. We aimed to investigate whether PERT utilization, recommendations, and outcomes for patients diagnosed with acute PE changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a retrospective cohort study of all adult patients with acute PE who received care at an academic hospital system in New York City between March 1st and April 30th, 2020. These patients were compared against historic controls between March 1st and April 30th, 2019. PE severity, PERT utilization, initial management, PERT recommendations, and outcomes were compared. There were more cases of PE during the pandemic (82 vs. 59), but less PERT activations (26.8% vs. 64.4%, p < 0.001) despite similar markers of PE severity. PERT recommendations were similar before and during the pandemic; anticoagulation was most recommended (89.5% vs. 86.4%, p = 0.70). During the pandemic, those with PERT activations were more likely to be female (63.6% vs. 31.7%, p = 0.01), have a history of DVT/PE (22.7% vs. 1.7%, p = 0.01), and to be SARS-CoV-2 PCR negative (68.2% vs. 38.3% p = 0.02). PERT activation during the pandemic is associated with decreased length of stay (7.7 ± 7.7 vs. 13.2 ± 12.7 days, p = 0.02). PERT utilization decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic and its activation was associated with different biases. PERT recommendations and outcomes were similar before and during the pandemic, and led to decreased length of stay during the pandemic.

Ascending aortic pseudoaneurysms are rare, but life-threatening conditions, that often require intervention. While endovascular techniques have advanced significantly, the majority of these clinical scenarios preclude endovascular options and the primary treatment modality remains open surgical repair. Repair of an aortic pseudoaneurysm eroding through the sternum resulting in a pulsatile chest wall mass is technically challenging. We report the successful repair of a large ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm in a 62-year-old male with bovine arch anatomy and prior Type A dissection repair, presenting with contained rupture and a pulsatile chest wall mass.

BACKGROUND:The Impella (Abiomed) ventricular support system is a family of temporary mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices used to treat patients with cardiogenic shock, acute cardiogenic decompensation, and for high-risk percutaneous or surgical revascularization. These devices include the percutaneously implanted 2.5/cardiac power (CP) and the surgically implanted 5.0/left direct (LD). Despite the beneficial effects and increased usage of these devices, data to assess adverse outcomes and guide clinician decision-making between the Impella CP and 5.0/LD are limited. METHODS:This is a retrospective analysis of 91 consecutive patients who required at least 24 h of Impella support, from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2019. Groups were stratified based on either initial Impella CP or 5.0/LD placement. Clinical outcomes and in-hospital complications were compared. RESULTS:Impella CP was implanted in 66 patients (mean age: 61 ± 15 years, male 71.2%) and Impella 5.0/LD was implanted in 25 patients (mean age: 62 ± 9 years, male 84.0%). There was greater stability of device position (p = .033), less incidence of hemolysis (p < .001), and less frequent need for additional MCS (p = .001) in patients implanted with the Impella 5.0/LD compared with Impella CP in this study cohort. Patients with Impella 5.0/LD were more likely to survive from Impella and survive to discharge. CONCLUSIONS:This study suggests that for patients who require temporary MCS for more than 24 h, the Impella 5.0/LD may have a more favorable device-specific adverse profile compared with the Impella CP.

Acute limb ischemia caused by peripheral venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) cannulation is associated with increased mortality. Early detection of limb hypoperfusion may lead to timely intervention and prevent irreversible muscle damage. Methods to determine the adequacy of tissue oxygenation in cannulated extremities include bedside physical examination, trending serum biochemical markers, and somatic near-infrared spectroscopy. To prevent ECMO-related limb ischemia events, interventions include the addition of distal antegrade perfusion catheters to the arterial ECMO canula, minimizing arterial cannula diameter, placing arterial and venous cannulae on opposite extremities, and adding a side-arm graft to the cannulated artery. If the limb develops early signs of ischemia, preventative measures such as distal perfusion catheter insertion or changing the location of the arterial cannula should be performed. Acute compartment syndrome requires emergency fasciotomy or amputation if the limb is unsalvageable. Opportunities for future research include improving monitoring technology and standardizing the use of the distal perfusion catheter.

BACKGROUND:Increased utilization of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive donors has increased transplantation rates. However, high levels of viremia have been documented in recipients of viremic donors. There is a knowledge gap in how transient viremia may impact acute cellular rejections (ACRs). METHODS:In this study, 50 subjects received hearts from either viremic or non-viremic donors. The recipients of viremic donors were classified as nucleic acid amplification testing (NAT)+ group, and the remaining were classified as NAT-. All patients were monitored for viremia levels. Endomyocardial biopsies were performed through 180 days, evaluating the incidence of ACRs. RESULTS:A total of 50 HCV-naive recipients received hearts between 2018 and 2019. A total of 22 patients (44%) who received transplants from viremic donors developed viremia at a mean period of 7.2 ± 0.2 days. At that time, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir was initiated. In the viremia period (<56 days), 14 of 22 NAT+ recipients (64%) had ACR vs 5 of 28 NAT- group (18%) (p = 0.001). Through 180 days, 17 of 22 NAT+ recipients (77%) had a repeat rejection biopsy vs 12 of 28 NAT- recipients (43%) (p = 0.02). NAT+ biopsies demonstrated disparity of ACR distribution: negative, low-grade, and high-grade ACR in 84%, 12%, and 4%, respectively, vs 96%, 3%, and 1%, respectively, in the NAT- group (p = 0.03). The median time to first event was 26 (interquartile range [IQR]: 8-45) in the NAT+ group vs 65 (IQR: 44-84) days in the NAT-. Time to first event risk model revealed that NAT+ recipients had a significantly higher rate of ACR occurrences, adjusting for demographics (p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS:Transient levels of viremia contributed to higher rates and severity of ACRs. Further investigation into the mechanisms of early immune activation in NAT+ recipients is required.

Objective: There are 3 cardiothoracic surgery (CTS) training paradigms-general surgery residency followed by CTS residency, 4 years of general surgery +3 years of CTS residency (4 + 3), and an integrated 6-year pathway (I-6). Studies to assess additional training requirements between paradigms have yet to be well described.
Method(s): An anonymous online survey aimed at collecting demographics, training pathway data, and need for additional training from CTS graduates within the past 5 years (2012 to 2017) was developed. An automated online email list was generated and sent out, with 2 reminder emails resent for nonresponders. The survey was open for a 2-month period.
Result(s): Four hundred seventy- seven emails were sent and received with a 20% response rate (95/477). Eighty percent (76/95) were male, mean age 39.4 years old (range 33 to 50). Eighty-one percent (77/95) completed a traditional training pathway, 7.4% (7/95) a 4 + 3, and 11.6% (11/95) an I-6. Twenty-seven percent (26/95) completed additional training-7.7% (2/26) robotics, 19.2% (5/26) additional thoracic, 3.8% (1/26) additional cardiac, 11.5% (3/26) congenital, 42.3% (11/26) transplant/mechanical circulatory support, and 15.4% (4/26) aortic/endovascular. Of those respondents who completed additional training, 73.0% (19/26) had completed a traditional training pathway, 3.8% (1/26) a 4 + 3, and 7.7% (2/26) an I-6. Twenty-four percent (23/95) completed >=10 years of postgraduate training.
Conclusion(s): There are 3 distinct CTS training pathways offering varying lengths of training and specialization. Among survey respondents, 27% completed additional training after completing CTS residency and 24% of respondents took 10 or more years to complete their training