Search Results (6)

Background: Cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) lead perforation is a rare but potentially catastrophic complication. As global device implantations increase, understanding the clinical spectrum and optimal management of this complication is essential. This study characterizes the clinical presentation, diagnostic strategies, and outcomes of lead perforation over a 25-year period. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 32 patients diagnosed with CIED lead perforation between 2000 and 2025 at a high-volume center. Perforations were classified by timing: acute (<24 h), subacute (1–30 days), and chronic (>30 days). Data included demographics, comorbidities, imaging modalities, and procedural interventions. Results: The mean patient age was 76.0 ± 11.7 years, with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 25.5 ± 3.4 kg/m². Subacute presentation was the most frequent (59.3%, n = 19), followed by acute (28.1%, n = 9) and chronic (12.5%, n = 4) cases. The right ventricle was the primary site of perforation (90.6%). While chest X-rays served as an initial screening tool in 62.5% of cases, diagnosis relied on multimodal imaging, with Computed Tomography (CT) providing definitive confirmation in 31.3% of the cohort, particularly when lead parameters remained stable. Management was risk-stratified based on hemodynamic status. The majority of patients (71.9%, n = 23) underwent successful transvenous lead removal via simple traction. However, 25% (n = 8) presented with hemodynamic instability, and 21.9% (n = 7) suffered from cardiac tamponade. These high-risk cases required surgical intervention, including sternotomy (n = 4), thoracotomy (n = 2), or pericardiotomy (n = 3). Notably, 62.5% of hemodynamically unstable patients were on oral anticoagulants. All patients survived to discharge, with no in-hospital mortality. The median length of hospital stay was 3 days. Conclusions: CIED lead perforation often presents subacutely with subtle clinical signs. CT imaging has emerged as the gold standard for definitive diagnosis. While percutaneous transvenous removal is safe and effective for stable patients, immediate surgical backup is vital, as patients—particularly those on anticoagulation—can deteriorate rapidly. Full article

Postpericardiotomy syndrome (PPS) is the most frequent inflammatory after-effect of cardiac surgery and is characterized by high morbidity, delayed hospitalization, and increased long-term mortality rates. Although PPS is common, empirical anti-inflammatory therapy has historically been employed for its prevention, and mechanism-based approaches have not yet been standardized. In this literature review, which was conducted on the basis of randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, cohort studies, and mechanistic research regarding pharmacologic interventions, surgical modalities, and biomarker-based preventive strategies, the deficiencies of a critical synthesis of existing preventive strategies and emerging risk stratification instruments for PPS are addressed. The review affirms that the most evidence-based pharmacologic intervention is colchicine, which demonstrates a consistent reduction in PPS incidence across a range of randomized trials. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs show variable responses, whereas corticosteroids are no longer recommended for routine prophylaxis due to relapse. Specific anti–interleukin-1 therapies represent a promising novel approach for high-risk patients. Surgical interventions, such as pericardial closure using biomaterials and posterior pericardiotomy, are important and do not lead to increased hemodynamic complications, while postoperative effusions, atrial fibrillation, and tamponade are reduced. Less invasive methods may also be employed to mitigate inflammatory causes, particularly in valve-sparing procedures and congenital operations. Emerging biomarker data, including postoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios, C-reactive protein levels, and pericardial fluid cytokines, enable the identification of high-risk patients and form the basis for a personalized prevention approach. In summary, pharmacologic prophylaxis, innovative surgical techniques, and biomarker-based risk stratification represent a pathway toward reducing the incidence and burden of PPS in modern cardiac surgery. Full article

Introduction: Aortopexy is the most common surgical option for the treatment of severe tracheomalacia (TM) in children. Despite being described over 75 years ago, several aspects of the procedure remain controversial. Materials and Methods: A systematic review of aortopexy was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. All original articles describing at least one case of aortopexy performed in children for the treatment of TM were included. Patients’ characteristics, surgical indications, approaches and details were collected. Outcomes were reviewed, and potential factors associated with procedural success were investigated. Results: Of 243 papers, 17 were included in this review, encompassing a total of 473 patients who underwent aortopexy. Of these, 65.3% were male, with a mean age at surgery of 12.2 months (5 days–18 years). Primary TM accounted for 7.9% of cases, while 92.1% were secondary to other anomalies, including esophageal atresia (54.1%), aberrant innominate artery (16.1%) and vascular rings (8.3%). There is a general consensus on the surgical indication for TM with severe symptoms, although the definition of severity is not well established. Overall success was 84%, but 40.8% of patients experienced some persistent symptoms. Sternotomy and thoracotomy were the most successful approaches (92.6% and 84.2%, respectively). Thoracoscopy had a similar success rate to sternotomy when pericardiotomy, thymectomy and pledgeted suture were performed (86.4% vs. 92.6% p = 0.41). Conclusions: Aortopexy is associated with good outcomes, but no evidence-based guidelines are currently available. Success appears to be associated with specific surgical steps rather than the surgical approach. Prospective studies are desirable for establishing precise guidelines. Full article

Background: Large pericardial effusion (LPE) is associated with high mortality. In patients with cardiac tamponade or with suspected bacterial etiology of pericardial effusion, urgent pericardial decompression is necessary. Aim: The aim of the present retrospective study was to assess the short-term results of pericardial decompression combined with prolonged drainage in LPE. Material: This study included consecutive patients with LPE who had been treated with pericardial fluid drainage between 2007 and 2017 in the National Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases Research Institute. Methods: Echocardiographic examination was used to confirm LPE and the signs of cardiac tamponade. Pericardiocentesis or surgical decompression were combined with pericardial fluid (PF) drainage. Short-term effectiveness of therapy was defined as less than 5 mm of fluid behind the left ventricular posterior wall in echocardiography. Results: The analysis included 74 patients treated with pericardial fluid drainage (33 female and 41 male), mean age 58 years, who underwent pericardial decompression. Out of 74 patients, 26 presented with cardiac tamponade symptoms. Pericardiocentesis was performed in 18 patients and pericardiotomy in 56 patients. Median PF drainage duration was 13 days. In 17 out of 25 patients with neoplastic PF, intrapericardial cisplatin therapy was implemented. In 4 out of 49 patients with non-malignant PF, purulent pericarditis was recognized and intrapericardial fibrinolysis was used. Short-term effectiveness of the therapy was obtained in all of patients. Non-infective complications were noted in 16% of patients and infective ones in 10%. Conclusion: Pericardial decompression combined with prolonged PF drainage was safe and efficient method of LPE treatment. Full article

Introduction: Neoplastic pericardial effusion (NPE) represents a common cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with cancer. NPE presents frequently as cardiac tamponade, requiring urgent pericardiocentesis or pericardiotomy, with subsequent pericardial fluid drainage. Despite high effectiveness of such procedures, the recurrence of effusion is noted in 30–60% of patients. Intrapericardial therapy with cisplatin was found to be effective in NPE due to lung and breast cancer. Its role in cardiac tamponade due to renal cancer is unknown. Case presentation: We presented an 82-year-old man with renal cancer who was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit because of threatening pericardial tamponade due to NPE. Urgent subxiphoid pericardiotomy was performed with subsequent evacuation of 1000 ml of bloody fluid. On the inner surface of the pericardium, several pink nodules were found. Histological examination revealed carcinoma clarocellulare. In view of the persistent high drainage of the pericardium, intrapericardial cisplatin therapy was performed. On the first day after surgery, colchicine 0.5 mg/day/po was also introduced. No side effects of the treatment were observed. The patient died 12 months later due to cancer progression and cachexia. No recurrence of pericardial effusion was observed. Conclusion: This is the first case study demonstrating long-term efficacy and safety of intrapericardial cisplatin combined with oral colchicine in NPE due to metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Full article

Background: Treatment of malignant pericardial effusion remains controversial, because no randomized controlled trials have been conducted to determine the best approach, and results of retrospective studies have been inconsistent. The objective of the present study was to compare pericardiocentesis and pericardiotomy with respect to efficacy for preventing recurrence, and to determine, for those two procedures, diagnostic yields, complication rates, and effects on survival. We also aimed to identify clinical and procedural factors that could predict effusion recurrence. Methods: We retrospectively assessed 61 patients who underwent a procedure for treatment of a malignant pericardial effusion at the Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec between February 2004 and September 2013. Results: Pericardiocentesis was performed in 42 patients, and pericardiotomy, in 19 patients. The effusion recurrence rate was significantly higher in patients treated with pericardiocentesis than with pericardiotomy (31.0% vs. 5.3%, p = 0.046). The diagnostic yield of the procedures was not significantly different (92.9% vs. 86.7%, p = 0.6). The overall rate of complications was similar in the two groups, as was the median overall survival (2.4 months vs. 2.6 months, p = 0.5). In univariate analyses, the procedure type was the only predictor of recurrence that approached statistical significance. Age, sex, type of cancer, presence of effusion at the time of cancer diagnosis, prior chest irradiation, tamponade upon presentation, and total volume of fluid removed did not influence the recurrence rate. Conclusions: Compared with pericardiocentesis, pericardiotomy had higher success rate in preventing recurrence of malignant pericardial effusion, with similar diagnostic yields, complication rates, and overall survival. Full article