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Background Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is a frequent co-morbidity among patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of DM on the early- and long-term outcomes of patients who underwent isolated CABG. Methods We performed an observational cohort study in a large tertiary medical center over a period of 11 years. All data from patients who had undergone isolated CABG surgery between 2004 and 2014 were obtained from our departmental database. The study population included 2766 patients who were divided into two groups: Group I (1553 non-diabetic patients), and Group II (1213 patients suffering from type 2 DM). Group II patients were then divided into two subgroups: subgroup IIA (981 patients treated with oral antihyperglycemic medications) and subgroup IIB (232 insulin-treated patients with or without additional oral antihyperglycemic drugs). In-hospital, 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year mortality outcome variables were evaluated. Mean follow-up was 97 ± 41 months. Results In-hospital mortality was similar between Group I and Group II patients (1.87% vs. 2.31%, p = 0.422) and between the subgroups IIA and IIB (2.14% vs. 3.02%, p = 0.464). Long-term mortality (1, 3, 5 and 10 years) was higher in Group II (DM type 2) compared with Group I (non-diabetic patients) (5.3% vs. 3.6%, p = 0.038; 9.3% vs. 5.6%, p < 0.001; 15.3% vs. 9.3%, p < 0.001 and 47.3% vs. 29.6% p < 0.001). Kaplan–Meier analysis demonstrated that all-cause mortality was higher in Group II compared with Group I (p < 0.001) and in subgroup IIB compared with subgroup IIA (p = 0.001). Multivariable analysis showed that DM increased the mortality hazard by twofold, and among diabetic patients, insulin treatment increased the mortality hazard by twofold. Conclusions Diabetic and non-diabetic patients have similar in-hospital mortality rates. Survival rates of diabetic patients start to deteriorate 3 year after surgery. Type 2 DM is an independent predictor for long-term mortality after isolated CABG surgery. Mortality is even higher when the diabetes treatment strategy included insulin.

Background Ever since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a pandemic, worldwide efforts are being made to “flatten the curve”. Israel was amongst the first countries to impose significant restrictions. As a result, cardiac surgeons have been required to scale down their routine practice, resulting in a significant reduction in the number of cardiac surgeries. The aim of this study is to characterize the impact of COVID-19 on cardiac surgery in Israel. Methods This is a retrospective observational study performed in two cardiac surgery departments in Israel and includes all patients who underwent cardiac surgery in March and April during the years 2019 and 2020. The patient cohort was divided into two groups based on the year of operation. Analysis of the patients’ baseline characteristics, operative data, and postoperative outcome, was performed. Results The 2019 group ( n  = 173), and the 2020 group ( n  = 108) were similar regarding their baseline characteristics, previous medical history, and rates of previous revascularization interventions. However, compared to the 2019 group, patients in the 2020 group were found to be more symptomatic (NYHA class IV; 2.4% vs. 6.2%, p  = 0.007). While all patients underwent similar procedures, patients in the 2020 group had significantly longer procedural time ( p  < 0.001). In-hospital mortality rate was found to be significantly higher in group 2020 (13% vs. 5.2%, p  = 0.037). Conclusions While the number of patients undergoing cardiac surgery declined during the outbreak period, the rate of surgical mortality increased. One explanation for this might be delayed hospital arrival.

Background Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and is common among patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. The main objective of our study was to investigate the impact of DM type 2, and its treatment subgroups, on short- and long-term mortality in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who undergo CABG. Methods The study included 1307 patients enrolled from the biennial Acute Coronary Syndrome Israeli Survey between 2000 and 2016, who were hospitalized for ACS and underwent CABG. Of them, 527 (40%) patients were with and 780 (60%) were without DM. Results Compared with the non-diabetic group, the diabetic group of patients comprised more women and had more comorbidities such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, renal impairment, peripheral vascular disease and prior ischemic heart disease. Overall 30-day mortality rate was similar between DM and non-DM patients (4.2% vs. 4%, p = 0.976). Ten-year mortality rate was higher in DM compared with non-diabetic patients (26.6% vs. 17.7%, log-rank p < 0.001), and higher in the subgroup of insulin-treated patients compared to non-insulin treated patients (31.5% vs. 25.6%, log-rank p = 0.019). Multivariable analysis showed that DM increased the mortality hazard by 1.61-fold, and insulin treatment among the diabetic patients increased the mortality hazard by 1.57-fold. Conclusions While type 2 DM did not influence the in-hospital mortality hazard, we showed that the presence of DM among patients with ACS referred to CABG, is a powerful risk factor for long-term mortality, especially when insulin was included in the diabetic treatment strategy.

Background To compare the outcomes of diabetic patients hospitalized with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) or unstable angina (UA) referred for revascularization by either coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in a real-life setting. Methods The study included 1987 patients with diabetes mellitus enrolled from the biennial Acute Coronary Syndrome Israeli Survey between 2000 and 2016, who were hospitalized for NSTEMI or UA, and underwent either PCI (N = 1652, 83%) or CABG (N = 335, 17%). Propensity score-matching analysis compared all-cause mortality in 200 pairs (1:1) who underwent revascularization by either PCI or CABG. Results Independent predictors for CABG referral included 3-vessel coronary artery disease (OR 4.9, 95% CI 3.6–6.8, p < 0.001), absence of on-site cardiac surgery (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1–1.9, p = 0.013), no previous PCI (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1–2.2, p = 0.024) or MI (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.2–2.6, p = 0.002). While at 2 years of follow-up, survival analysis revealed no differences in mortality risk between the surgical and percutaneous revascularization groups (log-rank p = 0.996), after 2 years CABG was associated with a significant survival benefit (HR 1.53, 95% CI 1.07–2.21; p = 0.021). Comparison of the propensity score matching pairs also revealed a consistent long-term advantage toward CABG (log-rank p = 0.031). Conclusions In a real-life setting, revascularization by CABG of diabetic patients hospitalized with NSTEMI/UA is associated with better long-term outcomes. Prospective randomized studies are warranted in order to provide more effective recommendations in future guidelines.

Background: Lung injury with development of the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a serious complication which can occur after major surgery, including cardiac surgery. Objective: The aim of our study was to compare the prevalence, risk factors, and mortality of ARDS following cardiac surgery according to the American-European Consensus Conference (AECC) definition and the new Berlin definition of ARDS. Methods: We performed a retrospective, observational study that included prospectively collected data from consecutive adult patients, aged from 18 to 92 years, who had undergone cardiac surgery (both on and off pump) at a large tertiary university hospital over 5 years (from September 2012 to September 2017). Results: During the study period, 3,972 patients underwent cardiac surgery, and 3,946 patients were included in the study. Fifty-five patients developed ARDS (1.14%) according to the AECC definition and 59 patients (1.15%) according to the Berlin definition, with a mortality of 32.7 and 30.5%, respectively (18 patients). Multivariate regression analysis identified prior cardiac surgery, complex cardiac surgery, emergency procedures, and transfusion of > 3 packed red blood cell units as predictors for ARDS. Conclusion: The development of ARDS in patients after cardiac surgery is a rare but serious complication associated with significant mortality. Moreover, our findings showed that prevalence, mortality, and risk factors for developing ARDS were similar according to both the AECC and the new Berlin definition.

Background The war that began on October 7th, 2023, has impacted all major tertiary medical centers in Israel. In the largest cardiac surgery department in Israel there has been a surprising increase in the number of open-heart procedures, despite having approximately 50% of surgeons recruited to military service. The purpose of this study is to characterize this increase in the number of operations performed during wartime and assess whether the national crisis has affected patient outcomes. Methods The study was based on a prospectively collected registry of 275 patients who underwent cardiac surgery or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) during the first two months of war, October 7th 2023 – December 7th 2023, as well as patients that underwent cardiac surgery during the same period of time in 2022 (October 7th, 2022 – December 7th, 2022). Results 120 patients (43.6%) were operated on in 2022, and 155 (56.4%) during wartime in 2023. This signifies a 33.0% increase in open-heart procedures (109 in 2022 vs. 145 in 2023, p-value 0.26). There were no significant differences in the baseline characteristics of patients when comparing the 2022 patients to those in 2023. No significant differences between the two groups were found with regards to intraoperative characteristics or the type of surgery. However, compared to 2022, there was a 233% increase in the number of transplantations in the 2023 cohort (p-value 0.24). Patient outcomes during wartime were similar to those of 2022, including postoperative complications, length of stay, and mortality. Conclusions Patients who underwent cardiac surgery during wartime presented with comparable outcomes when compared to those of last year despite the increase in cardiac surgery workload. There was an increase in the number of transplants this year, attributed to the unfortunate increase in organ donors.

Background Diabetes mellitus (DM) adversely affects morbidity and mortality for major atherosclerosis-related cardiovascular diseases and is associated with increased risk for the development of aortic stenosis. Clinical data regarding the impact of DM on outcomes of patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR) have revealed inconsistent results. The aim of the current study was to investigate and compare the impact of type 2 DM on short-, intermediate- and long-term mortality between DM and non-DM patients who undergo isolated AVR. Methods We performed an observational study in a large tertiary medical center over a 14-year period (2004–2018), which included all patients who had undergone isolated AVR surgery for the first time. Of the 1053 study patients, 346 patients (33%) had type 2 DM (DM group) and were compared with non-DM (non-DM group) patients (67%). Short-term (in-hospital), intermediate (1- and 3-years), and late (5- and 10-years) mortality were evaluated. Mean follow-up of was 69 ± 43 months. Results Short-term (in-hospital) mortality was similar between the DM compared with the non-DM group: 3.5% and 2.5% (p = 0.517). Intermediate-term mortality (1- and 3-year) was higher in the DM group compared with the non-DM group, but did not reach statistical significance: 8.1% vs. 5.7% (p = 0.169) and 12.1% vs. 8.3% (p = 0.064) respectively. Long-term (5- and 10-year) mortality was significantly higher in the DM group, compared to the non-DM group: 19.4% vs. 12.9% (p = 0.007) and 30.3% vs. 23.5% (p = 0.020) respectively. Among the 346 DM patients, 55 (16%) were treated with insulin and 291 (84%) with oral antiglycemic medication only. Overall in-hospital mortality among insulin-treated DM patients was 7.3% compared with 2.7% among non insulin-treated DM patients (p = 0.201). Long-term mortality was higher in the subgroup of insulin-treated DM patients compared with the subgroup of non-insulin treated DM patients with an overall mortality rate of 36.4% vs. 29.2% (p = 0.039). Furthermore, predictors for late mortality included DM (HR 1.39 CI 1.03–1.86, p = 0.031) and insulin treatment (HR 1.76 CI 1.05–2.94, p = 0.033), as demonstrated after adjustment for confounders by multivariable analysis. Conclusions Type 2 DM is an independent predictor for long-term mortality after isolated AVR surgery.

Background Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is a frequent co-morbidity among patients suffering from infective endocarditis (IE). The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of type 2 DM on the early-, intermediate- and long-term mortality of patients who underwent surgical treatment of endocarditis. Methods We performed an observational cohort study in the large tertiary center in Israel during 14 years. All data of patients who underwent surgical treatment of endocarditis, performed between 2006 and 2020 were extracted from the departmental database. Patients were divided into two groups: Group I (non-diabetic patients), and Group II (diabetic patients). Results The study population includes 420 patients. Group I (non-diabetic patients), comprise 326 patients, and Group II (diabetic patients), comprise 94 patients. Mean follow-up duration was 39.3 ± 28.1 months. Short-term, 30-day and in-hospital mortality, also intermediate-term mortality (1- and 3-year) was higher in the DM group compared with the non-DM group, but did not reach statistical significance: 11.7% vs. 7.7%. ( p  = 0.215); 12.8% vs. 8.3% ( p  = 0.285); 20.2% vs. 13.2% ( p  = 0.1) and 23.4% vs. 15.6% ( p  = 0.09) respectively. Long-term, 5-year mortality was significantly higher in the DM group, compared to the non-DM group: 30.9% vs. 16.6% ( p  = 0.003). Furthermore, predictors for long-term mortality included diabetes (CI 1.056–2.785, p = 0.029), as demonstrated by regression analysis. Conclusions Diabetic patients have trend to increasing mortality at the short- and intermediate period post-surgery for IE, but this is not statistically significant. Survival of diabetic patients deteriorates after more than three years follow surgery. Diabetes is an independent predictor for long-term, 5-year mortality after surgical treatment of endocarditis, regardless of the patients age and comorbidities. Trial registration Ethical Committee of Sheba Medical Centre, Israel on 02.12. 2014, Protocol 4257

Background Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality following heart transplantation (HT). Reduced cardiovascular mortality and morbidity have been reported in non-HT patients treated with metformin. Given the high prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in HT patients, we investigated the association between metformin therapy and cardiovascular outcomes after HT. Methods The study population comprised 103 DM patients who had undergone HT between 1994 and 2018 and were prospectively followed-up. We excluded from the study patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Fifty-five HT patients (53%) in the cohort were treated with metformin. Clinical data were recorded on prospectively designed forms. The primary outcomes included CAV, survival, and the combined end-point of CAV or cardiovascular mortality. Results Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed that the CAV rate at 20 years of follow-up was lower in DM patients treated with metformin than in those who were not (30 vs. 65%; log-rank p = 0.044). Similarly, the combined risk of CAV or cardiovascular mortality was lower in the metformin-treated patients than in those not receiving metformin (32 vs. 68%; log rank p = 0.01). Consistently, multivariate analysis adjusted for age and comorbidities showed that metformin therapy was independently associated with a significant 90% reduction (95% confidence interval 0.02–0.46, p = 0.003) in the risk for the development of CAV, and a 91% reduction (95% confidence interval 0.02–0.42; p = 0.003) in the risk for CAV or cardiovascular mortality. Conclusions In diabetic HT patients, metformin therapy is independently associated with a significant reduction in the long-term risk for CAV and the combined end-point of CAV or cardiovascular mortality after HT.

Heart transplantation (HT) in patients with prior cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) is becoming more common, in parallel with the increased use of CIEDs for patients with advanced heart failure. Complete removal of CIED components during HT is not always feasible, and it is thus surprising that the literature addressing the implications of retained CIED components is limited. Indeed, there are neither guidelines nor consensus regarding the need for removal of these CIED fragments. This issue is nonetheless becoming important in light of the increase in the percentage of HT candidates having CIEDs, on the one hand, and newer therapeutic immunosuppressive protocols with higher bacterial infection potential, on the other. Thus, with the aim to study the implications of retained CIED fragments as a step towards establishing a therapeutic approach for the unique population of HT recipients with CIED remnants, we present here a case series of HT patients with retained CIED fragments who developed complications of infections together with a review of the available literature.