Ramp-up of Hawking Radiation in Bose-Einstein-Condensate Analog Black Holes.

Inspired by a recent experiment by Steinhauer and co-workers, we present a simple model which describes the formation of an acoustic black hole in a Bose-Einstein condensate, allowing an analytical computation of the evolution in time of the corresponding density-density correlator. We show the emergence of analog Hawking radiation out of a "quantum atmosphere" region significantly displaced from the horizon. This is quantitatively studied both at T=0 and even in the presence of an initial temperature T, as is always the case experimentally.

Scattering of Co-Current Surface Waves on an Analogue Black Hole.

We report on what is to our knowledge the first scattering experiment of surface waves on an accelerating transcritical flow, which in the analogue gravity context is described by an effective spacetime with a black-hole horizon. This spacetime has been probed by an incident co-current wave, which partially scatters into an outgoing countercurrent wave on each side of the horizon. The measured scattering amplitudes are compatible with the predictions of the hydrodynamical theory, where the kinematical description in terms of the effective metric is exact.

Quantum Backreaction on Three-Dimensional Black Holes and Naked Singularities.

We analytically investigate backreaction by a quantum scalar field on two rotating Bañados-Teitelboim-Zanelli (BTZ) geometries: that of a black hole and that of a naked singularity. In the former case, we explore the quantum effects on various regions of relevance for a rotating black hole space-time. We find that the quantum effects lead to a growth of both the event horizon and the radius of the ergosphere, and to a reduction of the angular velocity, compared to the unperturbed values.

Hepatic colorectal metastases involving infra-hepatic inferior vena cava in high risk patients for extended resection: an alternative method for achieving radical resection in patient with borderline liver remnant.

Resection is the only chance of cure for isolated liver metastases from colorectal cancer. In the case of extended parenchymal resections, one crucial point is the ischemic damage to the remnant liver. We report an alternative technique for extremely extended liver resections without total hilar clamping for borderline liver remnants.

Left ventricular remodeling, hemodynamics and early clinical outcomes after aortic valve replacement with the Pericarbon Freedom stentless bioprosthesis: results from the Italian Prospective Multicenter Trial.

Background And Aim Of The Study: The aims of this multicenter prospective observational trial were to evaluate: (i) the left ventricular remodeling, hemodynamics and early clinical outcomes of patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR) with the Pericarbon Freedom (PF) stentless bioprosthesis; and (ii) the impact of the two suture techniques--continuous and interrupted--on the hemodynamic performance of the bioprosthesis.

Methods: Between November 2001 and April 2004, a total of 226 patients (131 females, 95 males; mean age 73.2 +/- 8.

Transapical aortic valve implantation in high-risk patients with severe aortic valve stenosis.

Background: Transapical aortic valve implantation (TA-TAVI) represents an alternative in patients with symptomatic severe aortic valve stenosis (SSAVS) who cannot be operated on or have a high surgical risk. The aim of this prospective multicenter observational study was to assess early and 2-year clinical and hemodynamic outcomes after TA-TAVI.

Methods: From May 2008 to September 2010, 179 patients with inoperable conditions or high-risk patients underwent TA-TAVI at 4 institutions.

Clinical and hemodynamic outcomes after aortic valve replacement with stented and stentless pericardial xenografts: a propensity-matched analysis.

Background And Aim Of The Study: Pericardial aortic xenografts have demonstrated excellent durability, and also freedom from tissue failure and from endocarditis. The aim of this single-center propensity-matched study was to compare the clinical and hemodynamic results of aortic valve replacement (AVR) with that for stented and stentless pericardial bioprostheses.

Methods: A total of 111 consecutive AVRs with the Perimount Magna stented valve, performed between December 2002 and December 2007, and 150 consecutive AVRs with the Pericarbon Freedom stentless bioprosthesis, performed between July 1999 and December 2007, was reviewed.

RIFLE criteria for cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury: risk factors and outcomes.

The aims of this study were to identify risk factors and evaluate the association with clinical outcomes of postoperative cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (CSA-AKI). Data from 2488 consecutive adult patients were analyzed. Patients were classified as having CSA-AKI based on the risk, injury, failure, loss of kidney function, and end-stage kidney disease (RIFLE) criteria using peak postoperative creatinine in the postoperative intensive care unit (ICU).

Surgical ventricular reconstruction with different myocardial protection strategies. A propensity matched analysis.

The aim of this study is to compare outcomes of patients undergoing surgical ventricular reconstruction (SVR) with normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and beating heart or hypothermic CPB and cardioplegic arrest. Between 2001 and 2008, 588 patients underwent SVR. A propensity score matching was performed and 91 matched pairs were created: group 1 (G1) operated with normothermic CPB and beating-heart technique, and group 2 (G2) operated with hypothermic CPB and cardioplegic arrest.

Post-traumatic rupture of the anterolateral papillary muscle.

Rupture of cardiac valves as a consequence of nonpenetrating cardiac trauma is an uncommon phenomenon. We report the case of a 24-year-old patient with a "two-stage" traumatic rupture of the anterolateral papillary muscle of the mitral valve, after a blunt chest trauma, who successfully underwent emergency mitral valve replacement.

Guideline for resuscitation in cardiac arrest after cardiac surgery.

The Clinical Guidelines Committee of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery provides this professional view on resuscitation in cardiac arrest after cardiac surgery. This document was created using a multimodal methodology for evidence generation including the extrapolation of existing guidelines from the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation where possible, our own structured literature reviews on issues particular to cardiac surgery, an international survey on resuscitation hosted by CTSNet and manikin simulations of potential protocols. This protocol differs from existing generic guidelines in a number of areas, the most import of which are the following: successful treatment of cardiac arrest after cardiac surgery is a multi-practitioner activity with six key roles that should be allocated and rehearsed on a regular basis; in ventricular fibrillation, three sequential attempts at defibrillation (where immediately available) should precede external cardiac massage; in asystole or extreme bradycardia, pacing (where immediately available) should precede external cardiac massage; where the above measures fail, and in pulseless electrical activity, early resternotomy is advocated; adrenaline should not be routinely given; protocols for excluding reversible airway and breathing complications and for safe emergency resternotomy are given.

Endovascular treatment of aberrant right subclavian (lusorian) artery to oesophagus fistula: a case report.

The creation of a fistula between the subclavian artery and the oesophagus is extremely rare. All the reported cases of subclavian oesophagus-arterial fistulae have been described either in aberrant subclavian arteries or as caused by foreign bodies in the oesophagus. In this article, a case of fistulous communication between an aberrant right subclavian and the oesophagus managed with the positioning of endovascular prosthesis is presented.

Intraoperative coronary angiography in postinfarction ventricular free wall rupture: how technology can change diagnostic and therapeutic timing.

Left ventricular free wall rupture often presents with an abrupt onset and rapidly progresses towards cardiogenic shock or electromechanical dissociation. The diagnostic pathway is still a matter of debate: echocardiography is commonly decisive but the assessment of coronary artery status is essential in order to optimize the surgical procedure. However, a preoperative coronary angiography could generate a dramatic delay of surgery.

Guideline on antiplatelet and anticoagulation management in cardiac surgery.

This document presents a professional view of evidence-based recommendations around the issues of antiplatelet and anticoagulation management in cardiac surgery. It was prepared by the Audit and Guidelines Committee of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS). We review the following topics: evidence for aspirin, clopidogrel and warfarin cessation prior to cardiac surgery; perioperative interventions to reduce bleeding including the use of aprotinin and tranexamic acid; the use of thromboelastography to guide blood product usage; protamine reversal of heparin; the use of factor VIIa to control severe bleeding; anticoagulation after mechanical, tissue valve replacement and mitral valve repair; the use of antiplatelets and clopidogrel after cardiac surgery to improve graft patency and reduce thromboembolic complications and thromboprophylaxis in the postoperative period.

Aortic valve replacement with the Sorin Pericarbon Freedom stentless prosthesis: 7 years' experience in 130 patients.

Objectives: Aortic stentless pericardial valves were introduced into clinical practice to combine properties of both stentless and pericardial prostheses. The aim of this single-center retrospective study was to assess midterm clinical and hemodynamic results of aortic valve replacement with the Sorin Pericarbon Freedom stentless bioprosthesis.

Methods: From July 1999 through November 2005, 130 consecutive patients (73 [56.

Long-term results of aortic valve replacement with Edwards Prima Plus stentless bioprosthesis: eleven years' follow up.

Background And Aim Of The Study: The Edwards Lifesciences Prima Plus stentless valve (ELSV) is a bioprosthesis manufactured from a porcine aortic root. The study aim was to evaluate late clinical outcomes after aortic valve replacement (AVR) with ELSV implanted as a miniroot in patients with aortic valve disease.

Methods: Between 1993 and 2004, 318 patients (232 males, 86 females; mean age 69 +/- 9 years; range: 37-83 years) underwent AVR with the ELSV.

Backreaction in acoustic black holes.

The backreaction equations for the linearized quantum fluctuations in an acoustic black hole are given. The solution near the horizon, obtained within a dimensional reduction, indicates that acoustic black holes, unlike Schwarzschild ones, get cooler as they radiate phonons. They show remarkable analogies with near-extremal Reissner-Nordström black holes.

Suitability of stentless bioprostheses for combined replacement of the aortic valve and ascending aorta.

Background: The Edwards Prima stentless valve (EPSV) is a bioprosthesis made of the porcine aortic root which, owing to its versatility, may be implanted with different techniques depending on the underlying disease. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the usefulness of the EPSV implanted as a miniroot in patients with disease of the aortic valve and ascending aorta.

Methods: Between January 1998 and July 2002, 91 patients (mean age 67 +/- 7 years) underwent combined replacement of the aortic valve and ascending aorta with an EPSV for aortic stenosis (n = 12), incompetence (n = 45) or mixed disease (n = 26); all had aneurysmal dilation of the ascending aorta and 8 had an acute aortic dissection.

Postoperative aortic fistulas into the airways: etiology, pathogenesis, presentation, diagnosis, and management.

Postoperative aortobronchial and aortopulmonary fistulas are rare and late complications of cardiac surgery. They mostly complicate descending thoracic aortic procedures. Hemoptysis is the main symptom, and may be massive or intermittent.

Monitoring high-dose heparin levels by ACT and HMT during extracorporeal circulation: diagnostic accuracy of three compact monitors.

The correct monitoring of heparin therapy and its reversal determines the successful conduct of cardiovascular surgery with extracorporeal circulation (ECC). The activated coagulation time (ACT) and the heparin management test (HMT) are the most frequently used tests in the operating room. Three compact monitors for ACT or HMT are here evaluated.