Fractional Flow Reserve-Guided PCI or Coronary Bypass Surgery for 3-Vessel Coronary Artery Disease: 3-Year Follow-Up of the FAME 3 Trial.

Background: Previous studies comparing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with multivessel coronary disease not involving the left main have shown significantly lower rates of death, myocardial infarction (MI), or stroke after CABG. These studies did not routinely use current-generation drug-eluting stents or fractional flow reserve (FFR) to guide PCI.

Methods: FAME 3 (Fractional Flow Reserve versus Angiography for Multivessel Evaluation) is an investigator-initiated, multicenter, international, randomized trial involving patients with 3-vessel coronary artery disease (not involving the left main coronary artery) in 48 centers worldwide.

Predictors and Outcomes of Stroke After Isolated Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting. A Single-Center Experience in 20,582 Patients.

Objective: Stroke remains a devastating complication after cardiac surgical procedures despite perioperative monitoring and management advances. This study aimed to determine the predictors of stroke in a large, contemporary coronary artery surgery population.

Design: Patient data were analyzed retrospectively.

Giant aortic root pseudoaneurysm surrounding the left main coronary artery.

A 69-year-old patient underwent an urgent aortic valve replacement because of Streptococcus agalactiae endocarditis of his native aortic valve. Since a rapid progression of the former abscess cavity into an aortic root pseudoaneurysm with increasing paravalvular regurgitation during postoperative follow-up, reoperation was performed. In the preoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) images the pseudoaneurysm completely surrounds the left coronary artery (LCA) without any signs of myocardial ischemia.

Fractional Flow Reserve-Guided PCI as Compared with Coronary Bypass Surgery.

Background: Patients with three-vessel coronary artery disease have been found to have better outcomes with coronary-artery bypass grafting (CABG) than with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), but studies in which PCI is guided by measurement of fractional flow reserve (FFR) have been lacking.

Methods: In this multicenter, international, noninferiority trial, patients with three-vessel coronary artery disease were randomly assigned to undergo CABG or FFR-guided PCI with current-generation zotarolimus-eluting stents. The primary end point was the occurrence within 1 year of a major adverse cardiac or cerebrovascular event, defined as death from any cause, myocardial infarction, stroke, or repeat revascularization.

Right Anterolateral Thoracotomy Versus Sternotomy for Resection of Benign Atrial Masses: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: Primary benign cardiac tumors are rare disease entity that predominantly originate from the atria. Benign masses can induce heart failure, arrhythmia, or thromboembolic events. Therefore, surgical excision is often indicated.

Impact of preoperative antithrombotic therapy in patients undergoing elective isolated coronary artery bypass grafting.

Objectives: The objective of this retrospective study was to assess differences in clinical outcomes between patients on acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) monotherapy and patients on other antithrombotic (AT) regimens undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Methods: Patients who underwent elective isolated CABG between 2017 and 2019 at the Catharina Hospital Eindhoven were eligible for this study. The primary end points were re-exploration for bleeding and postoperative blood product transfusion.

Recovery of conduction disorders after sutureless aortic valve replacement.

Objectives: Conduction disorders and the need for permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation after surgical aortic valve replacement are well-recognized complications. However, in the case of sutureless valve prostheses, it remains unknown whether pacemaker (PM) dependency and conduction disturbances resolve over time. Our aim was to evaluate whether conduction disorders after Perceval sutureless valve implantation recover during follow-up.

Effect of Adding Ticagrelor to Standard Aspirin on Saphenous Vein Graft Patency in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (POPular CABG): A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Background: Approximately 15% of saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) occlude during the first year after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) despite aspirin use. The POPular CABG trial (The Effect of Ticagrelor on Saphenous Vein Graft Patency in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery) investigated whether ticagrelor added to standard aspirin improves SVG patency at 1 year after CABG.

Methods: In this investigator-initiated, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial, patients with ≥1 SVGs were randomly assigned (1:1) after CABG to ticagrelor or placebo added to standard aspirin (80 mg or 100 mg).

Unraveling postoperative alterations after mitral valve replacement with three-dimensional printing.

Mitral valve (MV) surgery is the second most performed valve operation in Europe. MV pathology is associated with atrial fibrillation, and, therefore, frequently combined with rhythm surgery and left atrial appendage exclusion (LAAE). Currently, no guidelines exist regarding the follow up after LAAE postoperative.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigating the effect of ticagrelor on saphenous vein graft patency in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery-Rationale and design of the POPular CABG trial.

Rationale: An estimated 15% of saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) occlude in the first year after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) despite aspirin therapy. Graft occlusion can result in symptoms, myocardial infarction, and death. SVG occlusion is primarily caused by atherothrombosis, in which platelet activation plays a pivotal role.

Benefits of Endoscopic Vein Harvesting in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

Background: Earlier reports concerning endoscopic vein harvesting have been controversial regarding the patency of the vein graft after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). In addition, data on the quality of life are lacking. In this study, we investigated our experience with endoscopic vein harvesting with regard to these end points.

Sex Difference in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: Preoperative Profile and Early Outcome.

Objective: According to the available risk-stratification systems, women have a higher risk of mortality than men after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). In this study, the authors investigated the authors' CABG database to trace factors contributing to this difference in outcome between sexes.

Design: A retrospective patient record study.

Conduction disorders and impact on survival after sutureless aortic valve replacement compared to conventional stented bioprostheses.

Objectives: Sutureless and rapid-deployment aortic valve prostheses are frequently used for the treatment of aortic stenosis. However, postoperative left bundle branch block (LBBB) and permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation have emerged as frequent complications. The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of new-onset LBBB and PPM implantation after sutureless aortic valve replacement (sAVR) with stented bioprostheses, and the impact on postoperative survival.

Impact of Sex on the Outcome of Isolated Aortic Valve Replacement and the Role of Different Preoperative Profiles.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the patient profiles and outcomes of men and women undergoing isolated aortic valve replacement.

Design: Patient data were analyzed retrospectively.

Setting: This single-center study was performed at Catharina Hospital in Eindhoven, the Netherlands.

Significantly Elevated C-Reactive Protein Levels After Epicardial Clipping of the Left Atrial Appendage.

Objective: Besides mechanical and anatomical changes of the left atrium, epicardial closure of the left atrial appendage has also possible homeostatic effects. The aim of this study was to assess whether epicardial clipping of the left atrial appendage has different biochemical effects compared with complete removal of the left atrial appendage.

Methods: Eighty-two patients were included and underwent a totally thoracoscopic AF ablation procedure.

Use of an intraoperative checklist to decrease the incidence of re-exploration for postoperative bleeding after cardiac surgery.

Objectives: We have implemented an intraoperative checklist aiming to reduce the incidence of re-exploration for bleeding after cardiac surgery. The present report addresses the results of adopting such a checklist regarding the incidence of postoperative bleeding.

Methods: The checklist was implemented by presenting it in several staff meetings of the Catharina Heart Center.

Use of Postoperative Peak Arterial Lactate Level to Predict Outcome After Cardiac Surgery.

Objectives: In the present study, the authors investigated the predictive value of postoperative peak arterial lactate levels for early and late mortality after cardiac surgery.

Design: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data.

Setting: Single-center study in an academic hospital.

Conventional Aortic Valve Replacement after Displacement of a Percutaneously Implanted Aortic Prosthesis: Case Report.

A case is described of aortic stenosis that was initially treated with transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) due to a high-risk profile. Following dysfunction of the TAVI prosthesis, conventional aortic valve replacement (AVR) was successfully performed; the subsequent postoperative course was uneventful. In conclusion, the target population for TAVI must be more accurately specified, with further research helping to define whether AVR or TAVI is the best treatment option for 'intermediate-risk' patients.

Mid-term haemodynamic and clinical results after aortic valve replacement using the Freedom Solo stentless bioprosthesis versus the Carpentier Edwards Perimount stented bioprosthesis.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the mid-term haemodynamic and clinical results after aortic valve replacement (AVR) using the Sorin Freedom Solo (SFS) stentless bioprosthesis, compared with the standard Carpentier Edwards Perimount (CEP) stented bioprosthesis.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study of prospectively collected data, 116 patients were included in the SFS group (53 males; median age 74 years, range 56-85 years), and 122 patients in the CEP group (85 males; median age 73 years, range 43-88 years) between July 2007 and January 2013. Echocardiography was performed at 6 weeks after surgery in our centre, and the most recent echocardiography (in our centre or in referring cardiology departments) was requested.

Long-term follow-up of 82 patients after surgical excision of atrial myxomas.

Objectives: Literature reporting on large patient groups with the long-term follow-up is limited due to the low incidence of myxomas. This single-centre, retrospective study reports on the long-term follow-up (e.g.

Frequency and prognosis of new bundle branch block induced by surgical aortic valve replacement.

Objectives: Recently, transcatheter aortic valve implantation has been introduced, but one of its complications is left bundle branch block (LBBB), a conduction disturbance that has been associated with increased mortality. We investigated the incidence and fate of both right bundle branch block (RBBB) and LBBB after aortic valve replacement (AVR) using a retrospective analysis. We also studied the predictive value of both disorders for all-cause mortality.

Postoperative conduction disorders after implantation of the self-expandable sutureless Perceval S bioprosthesis.

Background And Aim Of The Study: Minimally invasive techniques for aortic valve replacement (AVR) have been developed as an alternative to conventional AVR for patients with high operative risk. Yet, these techniques are still associated with an increased risk of postoperative conduction disorders. The study aim was to identify the incidence and fate of postoperative conduction disorders in patients undergoing sutureless (SU) AVR with the Perceval S bioprosthesis.