Does preoperative ejection fraction predict operative mortality with left ventricular restoration?

Joshua D Adams1, Lynn M Fedoruk, Carlos A Tache-Leon

  • 1Department of Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, USA. jda2d@virginia.edu

Insights

Left ventricular restoration using the Dor procedure is safe, even with severely reduced ejection fraction (EF). This surgery improves cardiac function, though increased intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) use may be necessary.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Cardiac Surgery
  • Medical Devices

Background:

  • Ischemic cardiomyopathy and aneurysmal disease historically treated with coronary artery bypass grafting.
  • The Dor technique offers improved outcomes for ischemic, akinetic ventricles.
  • Preoperative low ejection fraction (EF) was hypothesized not to worsen outcomes after ventricular restoration.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Dor procedure for left ventricular restoration.
  • To compare outcomes in patients with preoperative ejection fraction (EF) < 0.25 versus EF >= 0.25.
  • To determine if severely reduced EF is a contraindication for ventricular restoration.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of patients undergoing Dor procedure (1996-2005).
  • Comparison of two groups: preoperative EF < 0.25 and EF >= 0.25.
  • Analysis of Society of Thoracic Surgeons database characteristics, mortality, length of stay (LOS), and intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) use.

Main Results:

  • Overall operative mortality was 3.4% with no significant difference between EF groups.
  • Length of stay (LOS) and mortality were comparable between groups.
  • Increased need for intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) in the low EF group (39.2% vs 8.1%, p < 0.05).
  • Five-year survival was 69.6% for EF < 0.25 and 88.3% for EF >= 0.25 (p = 0.066).

Conclusions:

  • Ventricular restoration with the Dor technique is a safe procedure.
  • Marked reduction in ejection fraction is not a contraindication for left ventricular restoration.
  • Anticipate increased intra-aortic balloon pump usage in patients with severely reduced EF.
Abstract