Heart Valve Clinic: A Model for Treatment of Structural Heart Disease

Background and Aim of the Study: Valvular heart disease (VHD) should be managed by a Heart Valve Team (HVT) for optimal treatment. Although the prevalence of VHD is increasing, an overall lack of universal implementation of the HVT continues to exist. Here we present our model of care within a Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center (VAMC). Materials and Methods: All patients referred to our VAMC with structural valvular disease have been managed within our multidisciplinary heart valve clinic since 2006. The heart valve clinic consists of a dedicated valve surgeon as well as both a dedicated noninvasive imaging cardiologist and cardiac MRI/CT cardiologist. Cases are reviewed on a weekly basis with multidisciplinary input to guide treatment strategy. Therapy includes medical management, facilitation of further diagnostic workup, and referral for operative intervention. Results: Between 2006 and 2015, 560 patients have been evaluated in HVC. Overall, new patient yearly volume has nearly tripled with now over 90 new consults seen yearly. Of the patients evaluated, 313 were referred for operative intervention with follow up post-operatively to affirm adequate post-procedural function. Following HVC referral trends, operative yearly volume has increased 33% over the last year years compared to the first three years of the program. The heart valve clinic has also matured to support a dedicated TAVR program. Conclusions: As the options for heart valve therapy and indications for surgery continue to evolve, a multidisciplinary team to guide decision making is imperative. We present the success and growth of our heart valve clinic within a VAMC as a structural model that can be translated into both the community and academic setting.

Long Term Results of Valve Operations in Patients with Diabetes

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) adversely affects survival in patients with Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) surgery. The influence of diabetes on events after valve operations is less defined. We analyzed the effect of diabetes on short and long term outcomes in patients undergoing valvular operations. A total of 2200 patients had cardiac surgery at a single VA Medical Center between 1991 and 2008. 355 patients had undergone valve replacement or repair. Data documenting the presence of diabetes was collected prospectively and captured into the Veterans Affairs electronic medical record. Of the 355 patients who had a valvular operation, 259 (79%) had an Aortic Valve Replacement (AVR), 69 (20%) had a Mitral Valve Repair/Replacement (MVR), and 4 (1%) had a Tricsupid Valve Repair/Replacement (TVR), and 19% (n = 69) of all patients had diabetes. 44% of patients with DM and 38% of patients without DM had a combined valve and CABG procedure. During a total follow up of 18 yrs, 42 (60%) of patients with diabetes and 186 (65%) of patients without diabetes were alive (p = 0.118). At 1, 5, 10, 15 yrs survival in patients with versus without diabetes were 91% v 87%;71% v 74%;40% v 56%;23% v 48% (p = NS). The presence of diabetes does not appear to adversely effect long-term survival in patients undergoing valve operations.

The distribution of parotid gland neoplasms in a veteran population

Objective:Salivary gland tumors account for 6%-8%of head and neck neoplasms with the parotid gland as the most common primary site.Pleomorphic adenomas(PA)are considered the most common benign parotid gland neoplasms,followed by Warthin tumors(WT).The goal of this study was to investigate the distribution of parotid gland neoplasms among a United States veteran population.Design:Retrospective chart review.Setting:Washington DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center.Participants:Veterans who underwent fine needle aspiration(FNA)for a parotid gland mass from 2000 to 2018 were included.Medical records were reviewed for gender,age,tobacco use,surgery date,and pathology results.Main outcome measures:Changes in the distribution of parotid neoplasms and tobacco use over an 18-year period.Results:Of 141 patients with parotid gland masses,86.5%(n=122)were benign,9.9%(n=14)were malignant,and 3.5%(n=5)were indeterminate.Of benign tumors,WT accounted for the majority at 51.6%,followed by PA at 40.2%.When stratified by decade(2000-2009 and 2010-2018),the proportion of WT compared to all other benign and malignant neoplasms increased from 31.6%to 53.6%,whereas the proportion of PA decreased from 36.8%to 33.3%.The rate of tobacco use was unchanged at approximately 32.0%among our cohort from 2000 to 2018.Conclusion:Among our cohort of veteran patients,WT was the most common benign parotid tumor and has increased in incidence over the last two decades despite an unchanged smoking rate.