Results:
The demographic characteristics of our patient population are summarized
in Table 1. The surgical sponges used in each of the SAVR procedures to
capture debris were analyzed in the surgical pathology lab as described
above. The results of the examination of the surgical specimens are
summarized in Table 2. Of note, 15 (75%) of surgical sponges registered
positivity for some degree of cellular and/or acellular debris. 7 (35%)
of sponges were positive for calcified debris on gross examination of
the specimen. On radiographic examination using a Kubtext XPERT
radiography system, 15 (75%) were shown to be positive for debris.
Histologic examination using Hematoxylin and Eosin and von Kassa Calcium
stain revealed that 5 (25%) of specimens registered histologic
positivity for calcified debris, indicating the presence of calcified
atherosclerotic plaque. Given the discrepancy between radiographic
positivity and histologic positivity, our finding of 25% of samples
having calcified debris is likely an underestimate. Representative
images from the pathologic analysis of surgical specimens are shown in
Figure 2.