Safety and efficiency of trainees performing bilateral internal thoracic artery coronary bypass grafting using the T-graft technique.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess safety and efficiency of multiarterial coronary bypass grafting using bilateral internal thoracic arteries in T-graft technique performed by trainees.

Methods: Patients from January 2005 to February 2023 who had undergone multiarterial coronary bypass grafting using bilateral internal thoracic arteries in T-graft technique were analysed. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on the primary surgeon: consultant and trainees.

Intraoperative Invasive Coronary Angiography after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

Objective:  The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the feasibility and safety of intraoperative invasive coronary angiography (ICA) following coronary artery bypass grafting using a mobile angiography C-arm.

Methods:  Between August 2020 and December 2021, 18 patients were enrolled for intraoperative ICA following coronary artery bypass grafting. After skin closure, ICA was performed including angiography of all established bypass grafts via a mobile angiography system by an interventional cardiologist.

Correlation Between Intraoperative Near-infrared Spectroscopy Values and Neurologic Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Total Aortic Arch Replacement Using the Frozen Elephant Trunk Technique.

Objective: To correlate intraoperative near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) values with neurologic outcomes in patients undergoing total aortic arch replacement using the frozen elephant trunk (FET) technique.

Design: Retrospective, single-center registry study using a two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance.

Setting: Between November 2013 and December 2023, 427 patients were treated for acute and chronic aortic pathologies using the FET procedure.

Ascending Geometry After Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair for Descending Aortic Dissection.

Background: This study aimed to assess geometry changes of the ascending aorta after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for descending aortic dissection and identify potential risk factors for diameter and length change.

Methods: Between April 2009 and July 2021, 102 patients were treated for acute descending aortic dissections (type B and non-A non-B) with TEVAR and were included in this analysis. Computed tomography angiographic scans were transferred to a dedicated imaging software and detailed aortic measurements (including length, diameter and area) were taken in multiplanar reconstruction postoperatively, after 6 months and annually thereafter.

In-Hospital Outcomes Following Surgical Revascularization of Chronic Total Coronary Occlusions.

: Patients with chronic total occlusions of the coronary arteries are either treated with PCI or referred for surgical revascularization. We analyzed the patients with chronic occluded coronary arteries that were surgically treated and aimed to describe the anatomical characteristics, revascularization rates, and in-hospital outcomes achieved with coronary artery bypass grafting. : Angiographic data of 2005 patients with coronary artery disease treated in our institution between January 2005 and December 2014 were retrospectively analyzed.

Bilateral Minithoracotomy for Mitral Valve Repair and Coronary Bypass Grafting.

 Combined mitral valve and coronary artery surgery is usually accomplished via a median sternotomy and is associated with increased mortality and morbidity.  We report on a 67-year-old patient with mitral valve regurgitation and concomitant coronary artery disease (CAD). The mitral valve was repaired using the loops and ring technique, and the left anterior descending artery was revascularized using the left internal mammary artery through a bilateral minithoracotomy approach.

Subsequent cardiac surgery after transcatheter aortic valve implantation: Indications and outcomes.

Background: Aim of this study was to report on indications and clinical outcomes of patients who underwent subsequent open-cardiac surgery after transcatheter aortic valve implantation TAVI.

Methods: Between 01/2011 and 12/2020 our centre performed 4043 TAVI procedures. Twenty-seven patients (including patients in whom TAVI was performed in other centres) underwent subsequent open-heart surgery via cardiopulmonary bypass.

Invasive Coronary Angiography in Patients with Native or Prosthetic Aortic Valve Endocarditis.

Background:  Invasive coronary angiography (ICA) is essential to detect significant coronary artery disease (CAD) but is generally not recommended in patients with infective aortic valve endocarditis. This study aimed to evaluate the risks and benefits of preoperative ICA in patients before aortic valve replacement.

Methods:  Between March 2008 and September 2020, 232 patients were surgically treated for infectious endocarditis of the aortic valve.

Distal Aortic Failure Following the Frozen Elephant Trunk Procedure for Aortic Dissection.

Background: Aim of this study was to report and to identify risk factors for distal aortic failure following aortic arch replacement via the frozen elephant trunk (FET) procedure.

Methods: One hundred eighty-six consecutive patients underwent the FET procedure for acute and chronic aortic dissection. Our cohort was divided into patients with and without distal aortic failure.

Composition of the surgical team in aortic arch surgery-a risk factor analysis.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyse the influence of varying experiences within each surgical team to identify team-related risk factors on clinical outcomes after total aortic arch replacement.

Methods: Each surgeon was rated from 1 to 5, and a surgical team's score was calculated (operating surgeon + assisting surgeon = team score) by relying on each member's experience. A composite end point (mortality, stroke or spinal cord injury) was defined.

Clinical Outcomes after Mitral Valve Surgery in Failed MitraClip Procedures.

Background: We retrospectively evaluated in-hospital and overall outcome of patients who received mitral valve replacement (MVR) after failed MitraClip procedure.

Methods: A total of 26 out of 740 patients received MVR after treatment with MitraClip between June 2010 and December 2020. We analyzed in-hospital mortality and overall mortality during the median follow-up period of 72 days after MVR.

The 3-step approach for the treatment of multisegmental thoraco-abdominal aortic pathologies.

Objectives: The goal of this study was to describe our 3-step approach to treat multisegmental thoraco-abdominal aortic disease due to aortic dissection and to present our initial clinical results.

Methods: Nine patients with multisegmental thoraco-abdominal aortic pathology due to aortic dissection underwent our 3-step approach, which consisted of total aortic arch replacement via the frozen elephant trunk technique, thoracic endovascular aortic repair for distal extension down to the level of the thoraco-abdominal transition and, finally, open thoraco-abdominal aortic replacement for the remaining downstream aortic segments. We assessed their baseline and aortic characteristics, previous aortic procedures, intraoperative details, clinical outcomes and follow-up data.