A 34-year-old man with unremarkable past medical history presents with night sweats and a recent diagnosis of intracardiac mass. The initial diagnostic workup did not provide a definitive diagnosis, so a cardiac biopsy under intracardiac echocardiography guidance was performed, revealing a hemangioma, which was then successfully resected. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.).

Abstract Background Primary cardiac tumors are infrequently, usually benign, and diagnosed incidentally. Among primary cardiac tumors, cardiac hemangiomas are exceptionally rare with only a 1–2% incidence. In most cases, histological diagnosis is made after surgical removal or at autopsy. Case presentation: A 36–year–old male patient is suffering from several months of bothering night sweats. He has no previous medical history and is not taking medication. After performing various exams, including an electrocardiogram and chest rx–ray that were unremarkable, the patient performed a chest TC scan that shows a large mass at right atrial level (Figure 1). Surprisingly, at transthoracic echocardiography the mass was not visible and moreover the exam was normal. To better visualize the mass, a transesophageal echocardiography was performed, showing a inhomogeneous, round–shape, intracavitary mass of 70x65 mm in size. The mass appear to be fixed, expansive, with no embolic–features and seem to be initially–obstructing the upper–cava blood flow (Figure 2), even the patient was hemodynamically stable. A diagnosis of lymphoma was initially suspected and an Total–body PET–TC was performed, showing that the heart mass was metabolically inactive and an intestinal metabolic active mass. Intestine mass biopsy, made by colonscopy, showed a non–malignous villous adenoma. Before undergoing heart surgery, to understand the nature of the mass, we performed a intracavitary ecocardiography (ICE)–guided percutaneous biopsy. Histologically, the heart tumor was composed of cavernous channels embedded in a loose fibrous stroma, compatible with Cavernous hemangioma. At heart surgery, the mass was localized inside the right atrium, at upper–front level, adhered to a small part of atrial myocardium, and was removed without complications. The right atrium was rebuilt with artificial patch. (Figure 3). Conclusions Cavernous cardiac Hemangioma is a rare tumor that may have an atypical clinical presentation. To our knowledge, this is the first case of cardiac hemangioma diagnosed by ICE–guided endomyocardial biopsy.

BACKGROUND Intra-atrial right coronary artery (RCA) is a rare and generally asymptomatic anomaly of development of the coronary arteries. This malformation could potentially expose the patient to a catastrophic outcome in the case of injury during interventional or surgical procedures. Currently, only a few case reports and no systematic reviews are available in the literature. CASE SUMMARY We report the case of a 54-year-old man with atypical chest pain who underwent multi-detector computed tomography angiography (MDCTA). The exam revealed no significant coronary artery stenoses; however, an intra-atrial course of mid RCA was evident. Medical therapy was administered, and the patient was discharged to home without undergoing a conventional angiography. Previously reported autoptic and clinical cases were retrieved from the PubMed literature database to compare the clinicopathological features of this case. CONCLUSION MDCTA depicted the abnormal course of the coronary artery in this patient as an intra-atrial course of the mid RCA. Finding this abnormality was crucial to avoid an inadvertent injury during interventional or surgical procedures.

Effusive-constrictive pericarditis (ECP) is an uncommon diagnosis, frequently missed due to its heterogeneous presentation, but a potentially reversible cause of heart failure. A 62-year-old Caucasian male presented with remittent right heart failure and mild-moderate pericardial effusion. Following an initial diagnosis of idiopathic pericarditis, indomethacin was started, but the patient shortly relapsed, presenting with severe pericardial effusion and signs of cardiac tamponade, requiring pericardiocentesis. ECP was diagnosed on cardiac catheterization. Cardiac computed tomography showed non-calcified, mildly thickened and inflamed parietal pericardium. Pericardiectomy was performed with symptoms remission. On histological examination of pericardium, chronic non-necrotizing granulomatous inflammation was noted. Polymerase chain reaction assay was positive for non-tuberculous mycobacteria. This case represents a rare finding of ECP with unusual presentation due to atypical mycobacteriosis in a non-immunocompromised patient and in a non-endemic area. Pericardiectomy can be an effective option in cases unresponsive to anti-inflammatory treatment, even in the absence of significant pericardial thickening or calcification.

Refractory Cardiogenic Shock (RCS) is a life-threatening condition that requires emergent mechanical circulatory support (MCS) implantation. Extracorporeal Life Support (ECLS) can be considered the “bridge to life” device to keep the patient alive while the optimal therapeutic strategy is determined. We evaluated recovery and survival predictors in a single-centre experience.

Background and Aim: to analyze late outcomes and fate of aortic root in patients with bicuspid aortic valve with antero-posterior orientation (BAV-AP) and aortic dilation undergoing ascending aorta replacement extended to the non-coronary sinus (NCS) (coronary-sinus sparing technique). Methods: clinical and echocardiographic data of patients with BAV-AP scheduled for ascending aorta and root aneurysm repair and undergone ascending aorta replacement with coronary sinus-sparing technique at a single Center between 2000 and 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients undergone redo operations or emergent surgery were excluded. Results: 69 patients (males n = 63, median age 66 years, IQ range 48–66) underwent coronary-sinus sparing technique: 50 (72%) required associated aortic valve replacement. There were no hospital deaths. Only 1 major postoperative bleeding requiring reintervention happened. At 15-years follow up (completeness 96%), 13 (19%) patients died, but only 4 (6%) due to cardiovascular deaths. Only 6 (9%) patients underwent cardiac reoperation (none for root dilation). No aortic dissections occurred. At follow up all patients are in good clinical status with only 7 (10%) patients with NYHA II-III. Echocardiographic analysis of available data showed significant reduction of root diameter after intervention, with slightly increase at follow up (Figure 1). Conclusions: coronary sinus-sparing technique with ascending aorta replacement extended to NCS in patients scheduled for aortic aneurysm repair with BAV-AP and asymmetrical root enlargement is a safe and low risk procedure, with good results in terms of late survival and freedom from root reintervention. This procedure reduces preoperative root diameter, granting nearly stable results at long-term follow up.

Abstract Background/Aim: Previous studies have demonstrated dubious results of ECMO for the treatment of refractory cardiogenic shock (RCS) after 9 days of support. The use of short-term extracorporeal mechanical circulatory support (ST-MCS) has emerged in the last years. We therefore evaluate the outcome of patients that needed prolonged support and underwent ST-MCS implantation compared to conventional ECMO implantation. Methods: Between January 2009 and October 2017, 183 patients were treated with extracorporeal life support (ECLS) in our centre for primary RCS; we selected the 101 patients that exceed the 9 days of ECLS. 44 cases (44%) were treated exclusively with ECMO implantation (Group 1), while 57 cases (56%) underwent left ventricular or biventricular extracorporeal ST-MCS implantation (Group 2). Among these last patients, in 42 cases the ST-MCS was intended as upgrade of ECMO support. Results: Average duration of the support was 17 ± 9 days in the Group 1 and 13 ± 9 days in the Group 2 (p = 0.08), while mean rates support of the maximal theoretic flow were 62 ± 15% and 79 ± 20% (p < 0.01), respectively. 12 patients of first group and 9 patients of second one died during ECLS support (p = 0.12); 30-days survivals were 61% and 70% (p = 0.24) and rates of hospital discharge were 43% and 61% (p = 0.04), respectively. Kaplan-Meier analysis (Fig.1) demonstrates a better survival in Group 2 rather than in Group 1 (p = 0.04) at median follow-up of 16 ± 24 months. Conclusions: ST-MCS has proved to increase the survival respect single-stage ECMO in patients with primary RCS who need prolonged ECLS and full hemodynamic support.

The benefits of total arterial (TAR) versus conventional (CR) revascularization are controversial in the higher-risk cohort of elderly patients. Taking for granted its benefit on long-term survival, we evaluated the effect of TAR on safety (death, myocardial infarction, and stroke) of patients undergoing CABG. Between 2000 and 2009, 487 patients >75 years underwent isolated CABG at our institution (150 TAR and 337 CR). Patients with arterial free-grafts were excluded. After propensity matching, the outcomes of 131 TAR and 127 CR patients were compared. TAR patients had lower incidence of post-operative myocardial infarction (p = 0.025) and stroke (p = 0.005). They also experienced shorter intensive care unit (p = 0.046) and ward stay (p = 0.028), lower output of TnI (p = 0.035), and less wound complications (leg included) (p = 0.0001), while mortality was comparable (p = 0.57). In our cohort of elderly patients with multivessel disease, TAR was associated with lower rates of myocardial infarction, stroke, and shorter hospital stay.

We sought to examine the efficacy in preventing surgical site infection (SSI) in cardiac surgery, using two different incise drapes (not iodine-impregnated and iodine-impregnated). A cost analysis was also considered. Between January 2008 and March 2015, 5100 consecutive cardiac surgery patients, who underwent surgery in our Institute, were prospectively collected. A total of 3320 patients received a standard not iodine-impregnated steri-drape (group A), and 1780 patients received Ioban® 2 drape (group B). We investigated, by a propensity matched analysis, whether the use of standard incise drape or iodine-impregnated drape would impact upon SSI rate. Totally, 808 patients for each group were matched for the available risk factors. Overall incidence of SSI was significantly higher in group A (6.5 versus 1.9 %) (p = 0.001). Superficial SSI incidence was significantly higher in group A (5.1 vs 1.6 %) (p = 0.002). Deep SSI resulted higher in group A (1.4 %) than in group B (0.4 %), although not significantly (p = 0.11). Consequently, the need for vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) therapy use resulted 4.3 % in group A versus 1.2 % in group B (p = 0.001). Overall costs for groups A and B were 12.494.912 € and 11.721.417 €, respectively. The Ioban® 2 offered totally 773.495 € cost savings compared to standard steri-drape. Ioban 2 drape assured a significantly lower incidence of SSI. Additionally, Ioban® 2 drape proved to be cost-effective in cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVESSternal wound dehiscence (SWD) after cardiac surgery is a rare but serious condition associated with considerable costs and morbidity. We sought to evaluate the results of the introduction of vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) therapy in the management of sternal wound dehiscence, compared with those of previous conventional treatments.METHODSWe retrospectively collected 7148 patients who underwent cardiac surgery at our institution between January 2002 and June 2012. A total of 152 (2.1%) patients had a sternal wound dehiscence: 107 were treated with conventional treatments (Group A) and 45 were managed with VAC therapy (Group B). Patients were stratified according to preoperative risk factors and type of sternal wound dehiscence (superficial or deep; infected or not) and compared by means of a propensity-matched analysis. A cost analysis was also performed.RESULTSForty-five patients of each group matched for all preoperative risk factors and type of sternal wound dehiscence. SWD-related mortality rate was significantly lower in Group B (11 vs 0%; P = 0.05). Incidence of mediastinitis (P < 0.0001), sepsis (P = 0.04), delayed SWD infection (P = 0.05), other complication (P = 0.05), surgical sternal revision (P = 0.04) and surgical superficial revision (P < 0.0001) were all significantly lower in Group B. Mean patient cost was 31 106€ in Group A and 24 383€ in Group B, thus achieving a mean saving of 6723€ per patient.CONCLUSIONSIn our experience, the use of VAC therapy for the management of SWD was considerably effective in decreasing mortality (SWD related), incidence of complications and need for surgical procedures; thus, leading to a significant reduction of costs.

We present a case report of broad medical interest since pertain to a severe but predictable complication of a not unusual disease as well as the inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) whose incidence and prevalence are increasing worldwide and which require close-cooperation of different specialists to prevent severe complications.

A 59-year-old man with a history of hypertension, noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, and metabolic syndrome was referred to our institution with a diagnosis of unstable angina. He had previously undergone myocardial revascularization that consisted of a left internal thoracic artery graft to the left anterior descending coronary artery, and saphenous vein grafts to the obtuse branch of the left circumflex coronary artery and to the right coronary artery. Three years later, he had undergone percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, but attempted stenting of the venous grafts was unsuccessful. Six months later, the patient was urgently readmitted for resting angina that was refractory to nitrate therapy. An electrocardiogram showed an inferior and lateral ST elevation. The patient's troponin I level was 5.99 μg/L. Coronary angiography showed a patent arterial graft and occluded venous grafts; the obtuse marginal branch was reperfused by means of anterior descending collateral flow. Through a left thoracotomy, the saphenous vein was grafted to a point between the proximal portion of the descending thoracic aorta and the obtuse marginal branch. Because the venous anastomosis was in an unusual position, and in order to avoid another invasive procedure, we studied the function of the graft with use of multislice computed tomography (Figs. 1 and 2). Fig. 1 A 64-multislice computed tomogram shows the distal anastomosis to the obtuse marginal branch. Fig. 2 A 64-multislice computed tomogram (3-dimensional reconstruction) shows the saphenous vein graft.

A 62-year-old man underwent mitral valve replacement with a Starr-Edwards caged-ball prosthesis in 1974. He was asymptomatic until February 2005 when he underwent a new cardiac evaluation because of increasing dyspnea and peripheral edema. The echocardiogram showed a severe aortic regurgitation and a mitral valve prosthesis well functioning. At reoperation, the mitral prosthesis and the aortic valve were replaced with St. Jude Medical((R)) bileaflet mechanical prostheses. At macroscopic and radiographic inspection the Starr-Edwards was free from signs of structural valve degeneration. This case demonstrates the impressive durability of a Starr-Edwards prosthesis in mitral position.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDYThe choice of aortic valve substitutes remains controversial. Malfunction and systemic valve complications affect the results of mechanical and tissue valves. Two devices--the Sorin Monocast (tilting disk) valve and the Hancock Standard valve were compared, the study aim being to determine whether the valve model is a marker or a causal influence of poor outcome after aortic valve replacement (AVR).METHODSBetween January 1970 and January 1984, patients aged < 70 years and operated on for aortic valve disease were selected. A total of 379 patients received either Sorin (group S) valves (n = 213; median age 51 years) or Hancock Standard (group HcK) valves (n = 192; median age 50 years) (p = NS). Total follow up was 2,471 patient-years (pt-yr) for group S and 2,368 pt-yr for group HcK. Follow up was 98% complete; median duration was 15 pt-yr for group S and 13.2 pt-yr for group HcK. Propensity matching for available patient intrinsic and operative risk factors was ultimately used to investigate whether biological or mechanical valve models impact upon outcome after aortic valve surgery. Patient survival was analyzed according to the 'intention to treat' principle.RESULTSThe 30-day mortality was 7.5% for group S and 10.9% for group HcK (p = NS). The 19-year Kaplan-Meier freedom from valve-related mortality was 84% (group S) and 82% (group HcK) (p = NS), while overall survival was 42% (group S) and 35% (group HcK) (p = NS). Structural valve deterioration (SVD) was the major cause of reoperation in the HcK group. The 19-year freedom from all valve-related complications was 43% (group S) versus 19% (group HcK) (p = 0.0001). By propensity score, 61% of the valve replacements (247/405) were perfectly matched for available risk factors, with an equal distribution of risk covariates. When SVD and reoperation due to SVD were excluded, survival and freedom from all valve-related complications of the matched patients were identical between the prostheses under comparison.CONCLUSIONIn this relatively young population, the Sorin valve showed a significantly lower valve-related complication rate than the Hancock Standard valve. The latter valve showed a significantly increasing rate of reoperation due to SVD, and thereby a relative inadequacy for use in younger patients. When analyzed according to an 'intention to treat' principle, the 19-year survival and freedom from valve-related complications of patients with the same propensity score for selection of either valve type were similar.