We report findings for a patient that underwent endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) guided transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) for diagnostic purposes after an abnormal chest CT. The patient initially presented with cough and shortness of breath. Chest CT revealed a 6 cm soft tissue mass with mildly enlarged right hilar lymph nodes (LNs) and a small right sided pleural effusion. Based on these radiologic findings, the patient underwent an EBUS guided FNA of the mass. To our surprise, the mass was hypoechoic by EBUS and on aspiration, the syringe filled with yellow fluid. This finding in combination with a re-review of the CT scans with a special focus on the Hounsfield Units of the lesion confirmed the diagnosis of a mediastinal bronchogenic cyst. This case demonstrates the role of Hounsfield units in analyzing mediastinal masses and highlights the effectiveness of EBUS guided TBNA in diagnosis and treatment of bronchogenic cysts.

Background

Coronary revascularization with bilateral internal mammary arteries is associated with increased long-term survival, but underutilized due to sternal wound infection concerns. Dedicated bilateral mammary grafting programs are typically high-volume academic or private practices, rather than lower-volume federal institutions whose results are not captured in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons database. Our institution used only single internal mammary arterial grafting in the year prior to implementing a dedicated bilateral grafting program using skeletonized technique. We describe our experience transitioning to bilateral mammary grafting and its impact on sternal wound infection.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study at San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center in 200 patients undergoing first-time isolated, multi-vessel coronary artery bypass from August 2014 to October 2017. Sternal wound infection was defined broadly to include any patient receiving antibiotics for suspicion of sternal infection. Patients were followed for wound complications until 3 post-operative months.

Results

Of 200 total patients, 45.5% (n=91) were diabetic, 44% (n=88) had BMI >30, and 61.5% (n=123) underwent bilateral mammary grafting. Bilateral mammary grafting population had 2.4% (n=3/123) deep sternal wound infection with 1.6% (n=2/123) requiring sternal reconstruction while single mammary population had 1.3% (n=1/77, p=1.0). Bilateral mammary grafting population had 6.5% (n=8/123) superficial sternal wound infection compared to 5.2% (n=4/77, p=0.77) in single mammary grafting population.

Conclusions

Transitioning to high rates of bilateral mammary utilization was possible in a year with low rates of complications. Based on our experience, surgeons should consider adopting a skeletonized bilateral mammary grafting approach given potential long-term survival benefit.

Objectives

Aortic valve disease is prevalent in the veteran population. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and minimally invasive surgical aortic valve replacement (MIAVR) are minimally invasive approaches predominantly performed at higher-volume cardiac centers. The study aim was to evaluate our experience with minimally invasive techniques at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC), since outcomes from lower-volume federal facilities are relatively unknown.

Methods

This study examined retrospective data from 228 consecutive patients who underwent treatment for isolated aortic valve disease with MIAVR or TAVR via intent-to-treat at a VAMC between January 2011 and July 2017. Perioperative outcomes were analyzed using Stata version 15.

Results

Operative mortality was 1.1% for MIAVR and 0.7% for TAVR (Χ² P=.79). Median length of hospital stay was 10 days (interquartile range [IQR], 7-14 days) for MIAVR and 4 days for TAVR (IQR, 3-6 days; Mann-Whitney P<.001). Postoperative new-onset atrial fibrillation occurred in 52% of MIAVR patients and 5.2% of TAVR patients (Χ² P<.001). Stroke occurred in 2.2% of MIAVR patients and 3.0% of TAVR patients (Χ² P=.71). In patients who underwent MIAVR, 5.4% required placement of a permanent pacemaker postoperatively, compared with 14% of TAVR patients (Χ² P=.04). Mild paravalvular leak (PVL) affected 2.2% of MIAVR and 28% of TAVR patients, with moderate PVL reported in 2.2% of MIAVR and 3% of TAVR patients (Χ² P<.001).

Conclusions

The VAMC heart team offers MIAVR and TAVR to veterans with isolated aortic valve disease, and has achieved excellent outcomes despite relatively lower case volumes. Both offer excellent hemodynamic results, with low mortality in a complex population.

Objectives

While a minimalist transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) approach has shown safety and efficacy at civilian hospitals, limited data exist regarding developing this approach at Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers (VAMCs). We implemented TAVR with minimalist approach (MA) using conscious sedation (CS) with transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and compared safety and outcomes with general anesthesia (GA) with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) at a university-affiliated VAMC.

Methods

A total of 258 patients underwent transfemoral TAVR at a VAMC between November 2013 and October 2019. Ninety-three patients underwent GA/TEE and 165 patients underwent CS/TTE with dexmedetomidine and remifentanil. Propensity-score matching with nearest-neighbor matching was used to account for baseline differences, yielding 227 participants (81 GA, 146 CS).

Results

MA-TAVR had no effect on 30-day mortality or paravalvular leakage. No differences were found in permanent pacemaker implantation, major vascular complications, or postoperative hemodynamics. In this population, MA-TAVR did not reduce procedural time, hospital length of stay, or intensive care unit length of stay.

Conclusions

Unlike civilian hospitals, MA with CS/TTE did not reduce overall length of stay in the veteran population; however, it was safe and effective for transfemoral TAVR without impacting clinical outcomes of mortality, major vascular complications, and paravalvular leakage.