Comparative Analysis of Long-Term Outcomes in Valve-Sparing Aortic Root Reimplantation: Full Sternotomy versus Mini-Sternotomy Approach.

Aortic valve-sparing aortic root replacement (VSARR) David procedure has not been routinely performed via minimally invasive access due to its complexity. We compared our results for mini-VSARR to sternotomy-VSARR from another excellence center. Eighty-four patients, 62 in the sternotomy-VSARR group and 22 in the mini-VSARR group, were included.

Regional antibiotic delivery for sternal wound infection prophylaxis a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Despite evidence suggesting the benefit of prophylactic regional antibiotic delivery (RAD) to sternal edges during cardiac surgery, it is seldom performed in clinical practice. The value of topical vancomycin and gentamicin for sternal wound infections (SWI) prophylaxis was further questioned by recent studies including randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to comprehensively assess the safety and effectiveness of RAD to reduce the risk of SWI.

Additional bypass graft or concomitant surgical ablation? Insights from the HEIST registry.

Background: Surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation at the time of isolated coronary artery bypass grafting is reluctantly attempted. Meanwhile, complete revascularization is not always possible in these patients. We attempted to counterbalance the long-term benefits of surgical ablation against the risks of incomplete revascularization.

Impact of COVID-19 on incidence and outcomes of post-infarction mechanical complications in Europe.

Objectives: Post-acute myocardial infarction mechanical complications (post-AMI MCs) represent rare but life-threatening conditions, including free-wall rupture, ventricular septal rupture and papillary muscle rupture. During the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic, an overwhelming pressure on healthcare systems led to delayed and potentially suboptimal treatments for time-dependent conditions. As AMI-related hospitalizations decreased, limited information is available whether higher rates of post-AMI MCs and related deaths occurred in this setting.

The current clinical practice for management of post-infarction ventricular septal rupture: a European survey.

Aims: Many historical and recent reports showed that post-infarction ventricular septal rupture (VSR) represents a life-threatening condition and the strategy to optimally manage it remains undefined. Therefore, disparate treatment policies among different centres with variable results are often described. We analysed data from European centres to capture the current clinical practice in VSR management.

Results of aortic valve replacement in aortic stenosis and moderate functional mitral regurgitation.

Background: Referral and admission echocardiography (ECHO) in patients scheduled for aortic valve replacement (AVR) with aortic stenosis (AS) may differ in the assessment of moderate functional mitral regurgitation (FMR).

Aims: Our study aimed to determine truly moderate FMR and evaluate its impact on survival.

Methods: We conducted an observational study of patients referred for AVR with AS and no, mild, or moderate FMR between 2014 and 2019.

Extracorporeal life support in mitral papillary muscle rupture: Outcome of multicenter study.

Background: Post-acute myocardial infarction papillary muscle rupture (post-AMI PMR) may present variable clinical scenarios and degree of emergency due to result of cardiogenic shock. Veno-arterial extracorporeal life support (V-A ECLS) has been proposed to improve extremely poor pre- or postoperative conditions. Information in this respect is scarce.

Stem cells mobilization by cardiopulmonary bypass after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Introduction: Expression of haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells occurs as a result of an inflammatory reaction caused by a damaged organ. Patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) are exposed to an inflammatory reaction, which may be a trigger in the mobilization of regenerative cells.

Aim: To assess the impact of CPB on stem and progenitor cells mobilization in patients scheduled for CABG.

Surgical and transcatheter aortic valve replacement for severe aortic stenosis in low-risk elective patients: Analysis of the Aortic Valve Replacement in Elective Patients From the Aortic Valve Multicenter Registry.

Objectives: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) remains the preferred strategy for high-risk or elderly individuals with aortic valve (AV) stenosis who are not considered to be optimal surgical candidates. Recent evidence suggests that low-risk patients may benefit from TAVI as well. The current study evaluates midterm survival in low-risk patients undergoing elective surgical AV replacement (SAVR) versus TAVI.

Total arterial revascularization coronary artery bypass surgery in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a relatively common comorbidity among patients referred for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and is associated with poorer prognosis. However, little is known about how surgical technique influences survival in this population.

Aim: The current analysis aimed to determine whether total arterial revascularization (TAR) is associated with improved long-term outcomes in patients with preoperative AF.

Atrial fibrillation ablation improves late survival after concomitant cardiac surgery.

Objective: Preoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) increases risk of stroke, heart failure, and all-cause mortality after cardiac surgery. Despite encouraging results and guideline recommendations, surgical ablation (SA) for AF concomitant with other heart surgery remains low. In the current study we aimed to address the long-term mortality after SA concomitant with cardiac surgery.

Clinical Insights to Complete and Incomplete Surgical Revascularization in Atrial Fibrillation and Multivessel Coronary Disease.

Objectives: Although endorsed by international guidelines, complete revascularization (CR) with Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) remains underused. In higher-risk patients such as those with pre-operative atrial fibrillation (AF), the effects of CR are not well studied.

Methods: We analyzed patients' data from the HEIST (HEart surgery In AF and Supraventricular Tachycardia) registry.

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention vs. Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting for Treating In-Stent Restenosis in Unprotected-Left Main: LM-DRAGON-Registry.

Background: Data regarding management of patients with unprotected left main coronary artery in-stent restenosis (LM-ISR) are scarce.

Objectives: This study investigated the safety and effectiveness of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) vs. coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for the treatment of unprotected LM-ISR.

Vasorelaxing properties of the perivascular tissue of the human radial artery.

Objectives: Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) surrounding the human internal thoracic artery exhibits anticontractile and vasorelaxing properties associated with the adipocyte-derived relaxing factor (ADRF). The goal of our study was to assess if perivascular tissue of the human radial artery (RA) also exhibits such anticontractile/vasorelaxant properties. It could be especially relevant in preventing RA spasms.

Surgical treatment for post-infarction papillary muscle rupture: a multicentre study.

Objectives: Papillary muscle rupture (PMR) is a rare but potentially fatal complication of acute myocardial infarction. The aim of this study was to analyse the patient characteristics and early outcomes of the surgical management of post-infarction PMR from an international multicentre registry.

Methods: Patients underwent surgery for post-infarction PMR between 2001 through 2019 were retrieved from database of the CAUTION study.

Surgical Treatment of Postinfarction Ventricular Septal Rupture.

Importance: Ventricular septal rupture (VSR) is a rare but life-threatening mechanical complication of acute myocardial infarction associated with high mortality despite prompt treatment. Surgery represents the standard of care; however, only small single-center series or national registries are usually available in literature, whereas international multicenter investigations have been poorly carried out, therefore limiting the evidence on this topic.

Objectives: To assess the clinical characteristics and early outcomes for patients who received surgery for postinfarction VSR and to identify factors independently associated with mortality.

Long-Term Outcomes Following Drug-Eluting Balloons Versus Thin-Strut Drug-Eluting Stents for Treatment of In-Stent Restenosis (DEB-Dragon-Registry).

[Figure: see text].

Epicardial, pericardial fat and glucagon-like peptide-1 and -2 receptors expression in stable patients with multivessel coronary artery disease: an association with the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.

Introduction: The expression of glucagon‑like peptide receptors (GLP‑Rs) in epicardial fat (EF) and pericardial fat (PF) depots might be involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases.

Objectives: We sought to evaluate the messenger RNA (mRNA) expressions of GLP‑1R and GLP‑2R in EF and PF and their associations with the renin‑angiotensin‑aldosterone system (RAAS) in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD).

Patients And Methods: Consecutive stable patients with multivessel CAD requiring elective coronary artery bypass grafting were enrolled.

Perivascular adipose tissue from the internal mammary artery in patients with severe coronary artery atherosclerosis.

Background: he internal mammary artery (IMA) is routinely used as an arterial graft for coronary artery bypass grafting with an excellent long‑term patency rate, but its protective mechanism is unclear.

Aims: We evaluated the differences between the expression of several gene in perivascular adipose tissue from the IMA (PVAT‑IMA) as compared with other fat depots in patients with severe coronary artery disease.

Methods: A total of 53 patients (13 women) with severe coronary artery disease and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction were scheduled for coronary artery bypass grafting.