Right superior vena cava draining in the left atrium is a rare anomaly, commonly associated with other cardiac defects. Herein we present the case of a 9 year old patient, asymptomatic but with right heart dilation with sinus venous defect, bilateral superior vena cavas with the right draining into the left atrium.

The future of CABG can be bright if cardiac surgeons will change the paradigm followed so far and will return in history, abandoning the current comfortable life and accepting the burden represented by the cost of innovation, which has a path already mapped out but not sufficiently trodden for guilty lack of commitment.

Introduction: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been used as a refractory treatment for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to COVID-19, but there has been little evidence of its efficacy. We conducted this study to share our experience using ECMO as a bridge to recovery for ARDS due to COVID-19. Methods: All adult patients who were placed on ECMO for ARDS due to COVID -19 between April 2020 and June 2020 (during the first wave of COVID-19) were identified. The clinical characteristics and outcomes of these patients were analyzed with a specific focus on the differences between patients who survived to hospital discharge and those who did not. Results: 20 COVID-19 patients were included in this study. All patients were placed on veno-veno ECMO. Comparing between survivors and non-survivors, older age was associated with hospital mortality (p=0.02). The following complications were observed: renal failure requiring renal replacement therapy (35%, n=7), bacteremia during ECMO (20%, n=4),coinfection with bacterial pneumonia (15%, n=3), cannula site bleeding (15%, n=3), stroke (10%, n=2), gastrointestinal bleeding (10%, n=2), and liver failure (5%, n=1). The complications associated with patient mortality were culture positive septic shock (p=0.01), culture-negative systemic inflammatory response syndrome (p=0.01), and renal failure (p=0.01). The causes of death were septic shock (44%, n=4), culture-negative systemic inflammatory response syndrome (44%, n=4), and stroke (11%, n=1). Conclusions: Based on our experience, ECMO can improve refractory ARDS due to COVID-19 in select patients. Proper control of bacterial infections during COVID-19 immunomodulation therapy may be critical to improving survival.

A document by Jordan Llerena-Velastegui. Click on the document to view its contents.

Background: Over-resuscitation in post-cardiac patients is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Accordingly, there is a growing interest in concentrated human albumin and hypertonic saline for resuscitation in cardiac patients following revascularization surgery. In this article, we will review the use of hyperosmolar fluid therapies for resuscitation in post-cardiac surgical patients from the current literature. Methods: A literature search was conducted in MEDLINE (PubMed) utilizing keywords, narrowing publications to 2010-2019. Results: Patients receiving concentrated albumin after cardiac surgery required less fluid bolus therapy, less time on vasopressors and were found to have a less positive fluid balance compared to patients receiving crystalloids. The impact on cardiac output and mean arterial pressure in those given concentrated albumin compared to crystalloid boluses was inconsistent. There was no difference in mortality in those given 20% albumin compared to crystalloids post-revascularization. Hypertonic saline showed some positive immunomodulatory effects in patients post-revascularization. Studies identifying the impact of hypertonic saline on fluid balance and mortality compared to normal saline in patients following revascularization surgery are on-going. Conclusions: In this analysis, publications on resuscitation with hyperoncotic albumin and hypertonic saline in patients post-revascularization surgery were reviewed. While there is data in support of using these alternative fluid therapies in other critically ill patient populations, the limited literature in support of using concentrated albumin and hypertonic saline for resuscitation in following cardiac surgery is equivocal.

A document by Muhammad Usman. Click on the document to view its contents.

Title Page:Title: Letter to the Editor: Long-term outcomes of elderly patients receiving continuous flow left ventricular supportArticle Type: Letter to the EditorCorrespondence: 1. Saad Ahmed qureshiContact No: +92-3360135206. Email: [email protected]: Ziauddin medical college KarachiAddress: NHS phase 4 tower 5b flat 5/7ORCID: 0000-0003-0857-3818Co-Authors: 2. Hamid ullah khanContact No: +92-3040215080. Email: [email protected]: Ziauddin University karachiAddress: Plot no AS 04 sector 32-D Nasir colony Korangi no 01ORCID: 0000-0002-0938-6080Co-Authors: 3. Umer sami KhanContact No: +92-304044743. Email: [email protected]: Ziauddin University karachiAddress: B4, Block B, Gulshan-e-jamal, Rashid minhas Road, KarachiORCID: 0000-0003-0849-7915Word Count: 320

Background: The introduction of the frozen elephant trunk (FET) technique for total arch replacement (TAR) has revolutionized the field of aortovascular surgery. However, although FET yields excellent results, the risk of certain complications requiring secondary intervention remains present, negating its one-step hybrid advantage over conventional techniques. This systematic review and meta-analysis sought to evaluate controversies regarding the incidence of FET-related complications, with a focus on aortic remodeling, distal stent-graft induced new entry (dSINE) and endoleak, in patients with type A aortic dissection (TAAD) and/or thoracic aortic aneurysm. Materials and methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using multiple electronic databases including EMBASE, Scopus, and PubMed/MEDLINE to identify evidence on TAR with FET in patients with TAAD and/or aneurysm. Studies published up until January 2022 were included, and after applying exclusion criteria, a total of 43 studies were extracted. Results: A total of 5068 patients who underwent FET procedure were included. The pooled estimates of dSINE and endoleak were 2% (95% CI 0.01-0.06, I 2 = 78%) and 3% (95% CI 0.01-0.11, I 2 = 89%), respectively. The pooled rate of secondary thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) post-FET was 7% (95% CI 0.05-0.12, I 2 = 89%) whilst the pooled rate of false lumen thrombosis at the level of stent-graft was 91% (95% CI 0.75-0.97, I 2 = 92%). After subgroup analysis, heterogeneity for dSINE and endoleak resolved among European patients, where Thoraflex Hybrid and E-Vita stent-grafts were used (both I 2 = 0%). In addition, heterogeneity for secondary TEVAR after FET resolved among Asians receiving Cronus (I 2 = 15.1%) and Frozenix stent -grafts (I 2 = 1%). Conclusion: Our results showed that the FET procedure in patients with TAAD and/or aneurysm is associated with excellent results, with a particularly low incidence of dSINE and endoleak as well as highly favorable aortic remodeling. However the type of stent-graft and the study location were sources of heterogeneity, emphasizing the need for multicenter studies directly comparing FET grafts. Finally, Thoraflex Hybrid can be considered the primary FET device choice due to its superior results.

Background: Acute type B aortic dissection (TBAD) is a rare condition that can be divided into complicated (CoTBAD) and uncomplicated (UnCoTBAD) based on certain presenting clinical and radiological features, with UnCoTBAD constituting the majority of TBAD cases. The classification of TBAD directly affects the treatment pathway taken, however, there remains confusion as to exactly what differentiates complicated from uncomplicated TBAD. Aims: The scope of this review is to delineate the literature defining the intervention parameters for UnCoTBAD. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using multiple electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, and EMBASE to collate and summarize all research evidence on intervention parameters and protocols for UnCoTBAD. Results: A TBAD without evidence of malperfusion or rupture might be classified as uncomplicated but there remains a subgroup who might exhibit high-risk features. Two clinical features representative of “high risk” are refractory pain and persistent hypertension. First line treatment for CoTBAD is TEVAR, and whilst this has also proven its safety and effectiveness in UnCoTBAD, it is still being managed conservatively. However, TBAD is a dynamic pathology and a significant proportion of UnCoTBADs can progress to become complicated, thus necessitating more complex intervention. While the “high risk” UnCoTBAD do benefit the most from TEVAR, yet, the defining parameters are still debatable as this benefit can be extended to a wider UnCoTBAD population. Conclusion: Uncomplicated TBAD remains a misnomer as it is frequently representative of a complex ongoing disease process requiring very close monitoring in a critical care setting. A clear diagnostic pathway may improve decision making following a diagnosis of UnCoTBAD. Choice of treatment still predominantly depends on when an equilibrium might be reached where the risks of TEVAR outweigh the natural history of the dissection in both the short- and long-term.

Cardiac surgical patients are often discharged to a rehabilitation facility to complete the convalescence in a protected setting. This care pathway is usually reserved for elderly and fragile patients, with severe and invalidating comorbid conditions. Between March and April 2020, nineteen patients were discharged from our unit to a rehabilitation clinic where a hotbed of SARS-CoV-2 infection was documented on April 17. After the outbreak, all patients underwent screening with real-time PCR on nasal swabs, and 18/19 patients were found positive. Diversely from other observations on perioperative COVID-19 reporting mortality rates of 30-40%, the COVID-19 had a benign course in our cohort: six patients were completely asymptomatic, and only seven patients required hospitalization (no deaths). We describe the baseline, operative and postoperative features of these patients, and present some potential explanations for the surprisingly benign course of the COVID-19 in this cohort.

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak a pandemic: it took a toll of more than 300.000 deaths and more than 4.5 million cases, worldwide. The initial data pointed out the tight bond between cardiovascular diseases and worse outcomes in COVID19-patients. Epidemiologically speaking, there is an overlap between the age-groups more affected by COVID-related death and the age-groups in which Cardiac Surgery has its usual base of patients. The Cardiac Surgery Departments have to think to a new normal: since the virus will remain endemic in the society, dedicated pathways or even dedicated Teams are pivotal to treat safely the patients, in respect of the safety of the health care workers. Moreover, we need a keen eye on deciding which pathologies have to be treated with priority: Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) showed a higher mortality rate in patients affected by COVID19, but it’s however reasonable to think that all the cardiac pathologies affecting the lung circulation - such as symptomatic severe mitral diseases or aortic stenosis - might deserve a priority access to treatment, in order to increase the survival rate in case of an acquired-Coronavirus infection later on.

TITLE PAGE Title: Letter to the Editor: Minimally invasive aortic valve repair using geometric ring annuloplastyArticle type: Letter to the editorCorrespondence : 1. Bilawal NadeemContact: +92-3137562580 Email: [email protected]: King Edward Medical University, LahoreAddress: Mianwal Ranjha Dera Allah Wadhaya Tehsil and District Mandi Bahauddin, 50400Words count: 418Conflict of interest: noneDisclosure: noneFunding: none

Vasoplegic syndrome (VPS) is defined as systemic hypotension due to profound vasodilatation and loss of systemic vascular resistance (SVR), despite normal or increased cardiac index (CI). It occurs in 9- 44% of cardiac surgery patients after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The pathogenesis of VPS is multifactorial involving the activation of contact, coagulation, and complement systems and the activation of leukocytes. platelets and endothelial cells resulting in an imbalance in the regulation of the vascular tone; inducible nitric oxide synthase [iNOS] triggered by inflammatory cytokines during CPB produces nitric oxide (NO), which increases vascular levels of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), resulting in vasodilation. leading to postcardiac surgery VPS. Standard treatment options for severe refractory VPS are extremely limited and include vasopressor support. latest Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines also consider that the best therapeutic management of vascular hypo- responsiveness to vasopressors could be a combination of multiple vasopressors, including norepinephrine (NE) and early prescription of vasopressin. This review will address the various definitions, risk factors, pathophysiology, potential cardiac candidates, and potential therapeutic interventions for VPS following cardiac surgery focussed on the outcome. This review did not require any ethical approval or consent from the patients.

A general misconception that unicuspid aortic valves (UAV) are just a subtype of bicuspid aortic valves (BAV) has now been perpetuated in the medical and surgical community for nearly two decades[1](#ref-0001), and there is no end in sight.

Aortic valve and root replacements require an in-depth understanding of the aortic root and annulus. Both structures can be asymmetric at times, and this needs to be recognized and taken into consideration when peforming valve-sparing operations or other root-replacement procedures. Moreover, the geometry of the aortic annulus can be altered, and when performing an aortic root replacement this can distort the geometry of a neo-aortic valve for instance, and lead to valve dysfunction, which is difficult to reverse. We are describing an altered aortic annulus, which required modification through annulus elevation before proceeding with aortic root replacement with a graft-reinforced pulmonary-autograft.

Unicuspid aortic valves are rare congenital malformations. Surgical repair is feasible in aortic regurgitation, and in some cases of aortic stenosis. The standard surgical approach is a bicuspidization and symmetrization with pericardial patch augmentation of valve cusps. Herein, we are describing our original technique for bicuspidization of a unicuspid aortic valve without cusp patch augmentation. We also address the surgical management of a commissural diastasis.

Background: We aimed to determine the relationship between HbA1c levels and the development of postoperative atrial fibrillation (PoAF) . Methods: 288 patients diagnosed with diabet and undergoing on-pump coronary bypass were included in the study. Those with serum HbA1c levels between 5.5-7.0% were defined as Group 1, those with serum HbA1c levels between 7.1-8.9% were defined as group 2, while those with serum HbA1c levels 9.0% and above formed Group 3. Data between groups were compared. The predictive values of the independent variables for the development of PoAF were measured. Results: We did not found difference between groups in terms of development PoAF (p=0.170). Presence of hypertension was determined as an independent predictor for the development of PoAF (p=0.003) but not HbA1c levels (p=0.134). There was 50.5% sensitivity and 61.1% specificity for HbA1c values of 9.06% and above to predict PoAF (AUC: 0.571, p=0.049) Conclusions: HbA1c levels were not an independent predictor of PoAF development. However, we think that high HbA1c levels may be a risk factor for the development of PoAF.

Background: Uncomplicated type B aortic dissection (un-TBAD) has been managed conservatively with medical therapy in order to control the heart rate and blood pressure to limit disease progression, in addition to radiological follow-up. However, several trials and observational studies have investigated the use of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) in un-TBAD and suggested that TEVAR provides a survival benefit over medical therapy. Outcomes of TEVAR have also been linked with the timing of intervention. Aims: The scope of this review is to collate and summarise all the evidence in the literature on the mid- and long-term outcomes of TEVAR in un-TBAD, confirming its superiority. We also aimed to investigate the relationship between timing of TEVAR intervention and results. Methods: We carried out a comprehensive literature search on multiple electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus and EMBASE in order to collate and summarise all research evidence on the mid- and long-term outcomes of TEVAR in un-TBAD, as well as its relationship with intervention timing. Results: TEVAR has proven to be a safe and effective tool in un-TBAD, offering superior mid- and long-term outcomes including all-cause and aorta-related mortality, aortic-specific adverse events, aortic remodelling, and need for reintervention. Additionally, performing TEVAR during the subacute phase of dissection seems to yield optimal results. Conclusion: The evidence demonstrating a survival advantage in favour TEVAR over medical therapy in un-TBAD means that with further research, particular trials and observational studies, TEVAR could become the gold-standard treatment option for un-TBAD patients.