The Effect of Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement on Arterial Stiffness: Does the Valve Type Matter?

Despite the increasing use of transcatheter aortic valve procedures, many patients still require surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Assessing arterial properties in patients undergoing SAVR for aortic valve stenosis can be challenging, and the existing evidence is inconclusive. Our study aimed to investigate the impact of SAVR on vascular stiffness and the quality of life, as well as the different effects of valve type on arterial properties.

Does minimal invasive cardiac surgery reduce the incidence of post-operative atrial fibrillation?

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common post-operative complication and tends to be the most common arrhythmia after cardiac surgery. The etiology and risk factors for post-operative AF are poorly understood, but older age, large left atrium, diffuse coronary artery disease, a history of AF paroxysms and in general, pre-existing cardiac conditions that cause restricting and susceptibility towards inflammation have been consistently linked with post-operative atrial fibrillation (POAF). It has been traditionally thought that post-operative AF is transient, well-tolerated, benign to the patient and self-limiting complication of cardiac surgery that was temporary and easily treated.

Echocardiography for prediction of 6-month and late response to cardiac resynchronization therapy: implementation of stress echocardiography and comparative assessment along with widely used dyssynchrony indices.

Non-response cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) remains an issue, despite the refinement of selection criteria. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of stress echocardiography along with dyssynchrony parameters for identification of CRT responders or late responders. 106 symptomatic heart failure patients were examined before, 6 months and 2-4 years after CRT implementation.

Urine NGAL as a biomarker of kidney damage after on- and off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery: a prospective pilot study.

Introduction: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a relatively frequent complication after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). We compared the off- and on-pump CABG procedures with respect to changes in renal function as reflected by levels of urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (UrNGAL).

Methods: In a prospective design, we studied patients who underwent CABG, off- or on-pump, with respect to changes in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and UrNGAL pre- and postoperatively.

Oxygenation equilibration time after alteration of inspired oxygen in critically ill patients.

To determine the time required for arterial oxygen partial pressure (Pao(2)) equilibration after a change in fractional inspired oxygen (Fio(2)) in intensive care unit (ICU) patients, a prospective study in a 7-bed university ICU was performed. Forty adult patients were examined using sequential arterial blood gas measurements after a .3 alteration in Fio(2).