Gina Portella

Mechanical heart valve (MHV) replacement in patients with rheumatic valve disease is common in Africa. MHV requires long–life anticoagulation (OAT) and managing this can be difficult. Prosthetic valve thrombosis (VT) is a pathological entity characterized by thrombus formation on the prosthetic structures, with subsequent prosthesis dysfunction. Salam Centre for Cardiac Surgery was built in Khartoum Sudan by Emergency NGO. Since April 2007 high–quality and free–of–charge medical and cardio–surgical treatment has been offered to patients. More than 10000 cardiac surgery, 80% of which for MHV replacement, were performed. The aim of the work is to analyze the characteristics of patients with VT, the risk factors and clinical follow–up. From Aug 1, 2018 to Nov 30, 2022, 287 VT involving 237 patients were collected.The incidence is 1.36% p/y. The most relevant risk factor was the interruption of anticoagulant therapy and irregular INR control (N. 142; 49,5%). In 101 cases (35,2%) a clinical factor (infection, pregnancy, eosinophilia, heart failure) was the main cause of VT. The diagnosis, suspected with the Transthoracic Echo and confirmed with fluoroscopy, was done at the OPD visit (32,4%) in asymptomatic or at triage for symptomatic patients (67,6%). 236 patients were admitted to Salam Centre.The treatments of choice were thrombolysis, performed with 2 different protocols, fast and low dose–slow infusion (Alteplase 25 mg./6 hrs), followed by Triple Therapy (TT) (Warfarin, LMWH and Aspirin) (N.189–65,8%), TT alone (N.44– 15,3%) or Warfarin and Aspirin (N.54–18,8%). 210 events (73,2%) ended with unblocked valve,24 events ended with the death of the patient (8,3%); low dose/slow infusion regimen had less deaths. Thrombolysis was more effective (unblockage 79,9%). Warfarin and Aspirin and not admission to Salam Centre were linked to less unblokage and high mortality rate.

Sickle-cell disease (SCD) patients are considered to be at high risk from open-heart surgery. This study assessed the role of a simple sickling-prevention protocol. Perioperative non-specific and SCD-specific morbidity and 30-day mortality are investigated in a retrospective cohort study on patients undergoing isolated mitral valve surgery. Patients with and without SCD were compared. In the SCD cohort, a bundle of interventions was applied to limit the risk of sickling: ‘on-demand’ transfusions to keep haemoglobin levels of around 7–8 g/dl, cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) with higher blood flow and perfusion temperature, close monitoring of acid–base balance and oxygenation. Twenty patients with and 40 patients without SCD were included. At baseline, only preoperative haemoglobin levels differed between cohorts (8.1 vs 11.8 g/dl, P < 0.001). Solely SCD patients received preoperative transfusions (45.0%). Intraoperative transfusions were significantly larger in SCD patients during CPB (priming: 300 vs 200 ml; entire length: 600 vs 300 ml and 20 vs 10 ml/kg). SCD patients had higher perfusion temperatures during CPB (34.7 vs 33.0°C, P = 0.01) with consequently higher pharyngeal temperature, both during cooling (34.1 vs 32.3°C, P = 0.02) and rewarming (36.5 vs 36.2°C, P = 0.02). No mortality occurred, and non-SCD-specific complications were comparable between groups, but one SCD patient suffered from perioperative cerebrovascular accident with seizures, and another had evident haemolysis. SCD patients may undergo open-heart surgery for mitral valve procedures with an acceptable risk profile. Simple but thoughtful perioperative management, embracing ‘on-demand’ transfusions and less-aggressive CPB cooling is feasible and probably efficacious.