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In the Posterior left pericardiotomy for the prevention of atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery (PALACS) trial, posterior pericardiotomy was associated with a significant reduction in postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after cardiac surgery. We aimed to investigate the mechanisms underlying this effect. We included PALACS patients with available echocardiographic data (n = 387/420, 92%). We tested the hypotheses that the reduction in POAF with the intervention was associated with 1) a reduction in postoperative pericardial effusion and/or 2) an effect on left atrial size and function. Spline and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used. Most patients (n = 307, 79%) had postoperative pericardial effusions (anterior 68%, postero-lateral 51.9%). The incidence of postero-lateral effusion was significantly lower in patients undergoing pericardiotomy (37% vs 67%; P < .001). The median size of anterior effusion was comparable between patients with and without POAF (5.0 [IQR 3.0–7.0] vs 5.0 [IQR 3.0–7.5] mm; P = .42), but there was a nonsignificant trend towards larger postero-lateral effusion in the POAF group (5.0 [IQR 3.0–9.0] vs 4.0 [IQR 3.0–6.4] mm; P = .06). There was a non-linear association between postero-lateral effusion and POAF at a cut-off at 10 mm (OR 2.70; 95% CI 1.13, 6.47; P = .03) that was confirmed in multivariable analysis (OR 3.5, 95% CI 1.17, 10.58; P = 0.02). Left atrial dimension and function did not change significantly after posterior pericardiotomy. Reduction in postero-lateral pericardial effusion is a plausible mechanism for the effect of posterior pericardiotomy in reducing POAF. Measures to reduce postoperative pericardial effusion are a promising approach to prevent POAF. Pathophysiological mechanisms explaining the association between postoperative pericardial effusion and the occurrence of postoperative atrial fibrillation. Hb, hemoglobin; MetHb, methemoglobin; OxyHb, oxyhemoglobin; ROS, reactive oxygen species. [Display omitted]

Constrictive pericarditis is a result of chronic inflammation characterized by thickening and calcification of pericardial fibers, impaired diastolic filling, reduced cardiac output, and ultimately heart failure. The main objective of this multicenter trial is to evaluate whether conventional extracorporeal circulation pericardial resection has a better prognosis than pericardial resection without extracorporeal circulation. This study is a multicenter, randomized controlled, evaluator blinded, parallel group study with an advantageous framework. A total of 436 participants with constrictive pericarditis will be randomly assigned to either the extracorporeal circulation pericardial resection group or the non-extracorporeal circulation pericardial clearance group in a 1:1 ratio using a computer. Incomplete pericardial detachment is associated with low cardiac output syndrome after pericardial resection. The causes of low cardiac output syndrome are related to incomplete resection of thickened pericardium, unsatisfactory relief of left ventricular compression, excessive ventricular dilation after pericardial dissection, myocardial weakness, and heart failure. The relief of left ventricular compression is crucial for the postoperative recovery of cardiac function.

Abstract Objectives The optimal extent of pericardial resection in constrictive pericarditis (CP) remains a subject of surgical debate. This study compared perioperative outcomes, postoperative right ventricular (RV) function, functional status, and long-term survival between total and partial pericardiectomy in a contemporaneous single-centre cohort. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 102 consecutive patients undergoing pericardiectomy for CP at a single tertiary cardiac surgical centre between 2005 and 2025. Patients were stratified by operative extent into total pericardiectomy (n = 89) and partial pericardiectomy (n = 13). Preoperative, operative, and postoperative variables were compared. Long-term survival was assessed by Kaplan-Meier analysis with log-rank testing. Results Patients in the partial group were older (67 ± 11 vs 63 ± 12 years; P = .240) with higher operative risk by EuroSCORE II (7.2 ± 4.6 vs 4.9 ± 2.7; P = .010) and logistic EuroSCORE (14.5 ± 19.3 vs 5.6 ± 6.8; P <0.001). Urgent/emergency cases were more frequent in the partial group (61.5% urgent, 15.4% emergency vs 43.8% and 4.5%). Preoperative NYHA III-IV distribution was comparable (51.9% total vs 46.2% partial), as was preoperative RV function (P = .353). Conclusions Despite greater operative complexity, total pericardiectomy confers significantly superior long-term survival and functional recovery compared with partial resection. These data support total pericardiectomy as the standard of care for durable relief of CP, with appropriately selected use of cardiopulmonary bypass to facilitate complete biventricular decortication. The pericardium is a multilayered fibroelastic sac encasing the heart, serving roles as a mechanical barrier, immunomodulator, and vasomotor coordinator. Graphical Abstract For image description, please refer to the figure legend and surrounding text

The present study was designed to identify the preoperative clinical and imaging findings influencing adverse clinical outcomes in patients with chronic constrictive pericarditis after pericardiectomy. Patients with constrictive pericarditis who underwent pericardiectomy between January 2009 and September 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Preoperative evaluations included assessments of clinical symptoms, comorbidities, laboratory tests, cardiac computed tomography (CT), and transthoracic echocardiography. The volume of pericardial calcifications was quantified on calcium scoring CT. Adverse clinical events were defined as cardiovascular death or hospitalization due to cardiac causes, and all-cause mortality was assessed. Univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazard model analysis were performed to find factors associated with adverse clinical events. Among the 91 patients with available preoperative CT scans, 26 (28.6%) experienced adverse clinical events after pericardiectomy, with 19 (20.9%) experiencing cardiovascular deaths. On multivariable Cox analysis, larger pericardial calcium volume hazard ratio [HR], 1.004 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.001–1.006) per 1cm 3 increase; p = 0.005), higher E/E’ ratio (HR, 1.059, 95% CI, 1.015–1.105, p  = 0.008), and lower albumin level (HR, 0.476, 95% CI, 0.229–0.986, p  = 0.046) were significant factors associated with the adverse clinical events after pericardiectomy. The amount of pericardial calcification could be associated with the efficacy of pericardiectomy and potentially have implications for postoperative outcomes. Additionally, a high E/E ratio on echocardiography is indicative of unfavorable postoperative prognosis.

ObjectiveAim of this paper is to evaluate the outcomes of ‘idiopathic’ chronic large pericardial effusions without initial evidence of pericarditis.MethodsAll consecutive cases of idiopathic chronic large pericardial effusions evaluated from 2000 to 2015 in three Italian tertiary referral centres for pericardial diseases were enrolled in a prospective cohort study. The term ‘idiopathic’ was applied to cases that performed a complete diagnostic evaluation to exclude a specific aetiology. A clinical and echocardiographic follow-up was performed every 3–6 months.Results100 patients were included (mean age 61.3±14.6 years, 54 females, 44 patients were asymptomatic according to clinical evaluation) with a mean follow-up of 50 months. The baseline median size of the effusion (evaluated as the largest end-diastolic echo-free space) was 25 mm (IQR 8) and decreased to a mean value of 7 mm (IQR 19; p<0.0001) with complete regression in 39 patients at the end of follow-up. There were no new aetiological diagnoses. Adverse events were respectively: cardiac tamponade in 8 patients (8.0%), pericardiocentesis in 30 patients (30.0%), pericardial window in 12 cases (12.0%) and pericardiectomy in 3 patients (3.0%). Recurrence-free survival and complications-free survival was better in patients treated without interventions (log rank p=0.0038).ConclusionsThe evolution of ‘idiopathic’ chronic large pericardial effusions is usually benign with reduction of the size of the effusion in the majority of cases, and regression in about 40% of cases. The risk of cardiac tamponade is 2.2%/year and recurrence/complications survival was better in patients treated conservatively without interventions.

We aim to access the effect of pericardiectomy for constrictive pericarditis with or without cardiopulmonary bypass. This was a review of pericardiectomy for constrictive pericarditis. Cardiopulmonary bypass is actually an important maneuver to attain complete relief of the constriction. The short additional time of cardiopulmonary bypass during the procedure has very little effect on the risk of morbidity of the main operation. Incomplete pericardiectomy perhaps was the cause of postoperative remnant constriction and high diastolic filling pressure leading to multiorgan failure. Complete pericardiectomy (removal of phrenic-to-phrenic and the postero-lateral and inferior wall pericardial thickening) using cardiopulmonary bypass should be the routine for total relief of the constriction of the heart.

We aimed to determine the rate and impact of post-pericardiotomy syndrome after native valve-sparing aortic valve surgery and the perioperative factors associated with its occurrence. All consecutive patients who underwent native valve-sparing aortic valve surgery (i.e., repair ± ascending aorta replacement, valve-sparing root replacement, Ross procedure ± ascending aorta replacement) at our institution between January 2021 and August 2023 served as our study population. Post-pericardiotomy syndrome was diagnosed if patients showed at least two of the following diagnostic criteria: evidence of (I) new/worsening pericardial effusion, or (II) new/worsening pleural effusions, (III) pleuritic chest pain, (IV) fever or (V) elevated inflammatory markers without alternative causes. A logistic regression model was calculated. During the study period, 91 patients underwent native valve-sparing aortic valve surgery. A total of 21 patients (23%) developed post-pericardiotomy syndrome early after surgery (PPS group). The remaining 70 patients (77%) showed no signs of post-pericardiotomy syndrome (non-PPS group). Multivariate logistic regression revealed blood type O (OR: 3.15, 95% CI: 1.06-9.41, p = 0.040), valve-sparing root replacement (OR: 3.12, 95% CI: 1.01-9.59, p = 0.048) and peak C-reactive protein >15 mg/dl within 48 hours postoperatively (OR: 4.27, 95% CI: 1.05-17.29, p = 0.042) as independent risk factors. 73% (8/11) of patients displaying all three risk factors, 60% (9/15) of patients with blood type O and valve-sparing root replacement, 52% (11/21) of patients with blood type O and early postoperative peak C-reactive protein >15 mg/dl and 45% (13/29) of patients with early postoperative peak C-reactive protein >15 mg/dl and valve-sparing root replacement developed post-pericardiotomy syndrome. In summary, blood type O, valve-sparing root replacement and peak C-reactive protein >15 mg/dl within 48 hours postoperatively are significantly associated with post-pericardiotomy syndrome after native valve-sparing aortic valve surgery. Particularly, the presence of all three risk factors is linked to a particularly high risk of post-pericardiotomy syndrome.

The most common type of arrhythmia following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) is atrial fibrillation (AF) with an incidence rate of 20-30%. Pericardial effusion is one of the etiologic factors of atrial fibrillation occurring after CABG. Posterior pericardiotomy (PP) causes the drainage of blood and fluids from the pericardial space into the pleural space leading to a decreased pericardial effusion. Most of the studies dealing with the occurrence of AF in the surgical operation of CABG have focused on patients undergoing on-pump CABG. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of posterior pericardiotomy on pericardial effusion and atrial fibrillation following the off-pump CABG. This study was a clinical trial conducted on 207 patients. The patients were randomly assigned to groups A, and B. Posterior pericardiotomy was performed on the patients in Group A. This was not done on patients in Group B. Following general anesthesia and median sternotomy, the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) and saphenous vein were harvested simultaneously. Following the injection of heparin, distal and proximal anastomosis was performed and at the end of surgery, a longitudinal incision with a length of 4 cm was performed parallel and posterior to the left phrenic nerve from the left vein to diaphragm for patients in the pericardiotomy group. 105 patients in the pericardiotomy group and 102 patients in the control group were examined regarding demographic variables, AF incidence, and pericardial effusion. There was no statistically significant correlation between two groups. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding the rate of AF incidence (P=0.719) and the rate of pericardial effusion (P=1). Posterior pericardiotomy has no effect on postoperative AF incidence and pericardial effusion in patients undergoing the off-pump CABG.

We sought to systematically describe the epidemiology, etiology, clinical and operative characteristics as well as outcomes of patients who underwent pericardiectomy for constrictive pericarditis in the contemporary era. We conducted a systematic search of the MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases from their inception to April 1, 2020 for studies assessing the outcomes of pericardiectomy in patients with constrictive pericarditis. Studies with patients enrolled before 1985, pediatric patients or studies including >10% tuberculous pericarditis were excluded. The impact of pericarditis etiology on outcomes was evaluated with a meta-analysis. We analyzed 27 eligible studies and 2,114 patients. Etiology was most commonly idiopathic (50.2%), followed by after-cardiac surgery (26.2%) and radiation (6.9%). Patients were mostly men (76%), mean age 58 and with advanced symptoms (NYHA III/IV 70.1%). Total pericardiectomy was preferred (85.8%) and concomitant cardiac surgery was relatively common (23.8%). Operative mortality was 6.9% and 5-year mortality was 32.7%. Radiation and after-cardiac surgery patients had 3 and 2 times higher long-term risk for mortality respectively compared with idiopathic. A sensitivity analysis did not result in changes in the results. Thirty percent of included studies had more than low bias primarily originating from follow up and selection. Pericardiectomy is therefore performed mostly in middle-aged men with advanced symptoms and low co-morbidity burden and still caries significant operative mortality. Radiation and after-cardiac surgery patients have a significantly higher mortality risk compared with idiopathic. Several methodological issues and significant heterogeneity limit the generalization of these data and randomized controlled trials may have to be considered.

Background Pericardiectomy is the curative treatment for constrictive pericarditis, yet postoperative low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS) may occur. The application of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) in post-pericardiectomy refractory LCOS has limited case reports, and its effectiveness and safety remain unclear. This study aims to provide evidence for the effectiveness of ECMO in treating post-pericardiectomy refractory LCOS. Methods Nine cases of post-pericardiectomy ECMO from two high-volume pericardiectomy centers in China were retrospectively reviewed. Meanwhile, a literature search was performed in PubMed and Embase on December 4, 2024. After screening, 5 articles were finally included for data extraction and comprehensive analysis. Results Case Series: There were 4 cases of tuberculous etiology, 1 with a history of cardiac surgery, and 4 idiopathic cases. All patients were in New York Heart Association class III - IV at baseline. All the patients undertwent pericardiectomy via median sternotomy, and 5 patients underwent concomitant valve procedures. One patient failed to wean from the cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and was transferred to femoral VA-ECMO. Eight patients received femoral VA-ECMO support 4–96 h after surgery due to refractory LCOS. All the patients survived to discharge with good neurological outcomes after 120–192 h of ECMO support. Two patient were lost to follow-up, and the rest 7 patients survived to follow-up with a mean follow-up of 56 months. Literature Review: 4 case reports and 1 retrospective study were identified. In the retrospective study of 69 patients, 8 received ECMO during or after pericardiectomy with a hospital mortality rate of 63%. The four Patients of the 4 case reports were all survival at hospital discharge. Conclusions VA-ECMO might be effective for refractory LCOS after pericardiectomy in patients with constrictive pericarditis, and could improve survival rates.