Results:
The demographic characteristics of our patient population are summarized in Table 1. The surgical sponges used in each of the SAVR procedures to capture debris were analyzed in the surgical pathology lab as described above. The results of the examination of the surgical specimens are summarized in Table 2. Of note, 15 (75%) of surgical sponges registered positivity for some degree of cellular and/or acellular debris. 7 (35%) of sponges were positive for calcified debris on gross examination of the specimen. On radiographic examination using a Kubtext XPERT radiography system, 15 (75%) were shown to be positive for debris. Histologic examination using Hematoxylin and Eosin and von Kassa Calcium stain revealed that 5 (25%) of specimens registered histologic positivity for calcified debris, indicating the presence of calcified atherosclerotic plaque. Given the discrepancy between radiographic positivity and histologic positivity, our finding of 25% of samples having calcified debris is likely an underestimate. Representative images from the pathologic analysis of surgical specimens are shown in Figure 2.