Topical Vancomycin Reduces the Incidence of Deep Sternal Wound Complications After Sternotomy.

Background: Deep sternal wound infection remains a significant hazard for cardiosurgical patients undergoing median sternotomy. Although the prophylactic use of topical vancomycin to reduce the incidence of deep sternal wound complications (DSWC) has been repeatedly examined, the method remains controversial.

Methods: We report here on a continuous experience that encompassed a total of 1251 cardiosurgical patients who underwent various procedures via median sternotomy.

Sex Difference in Patients With Ischemic Heart Failure Undergoing Surgical Revascularization: Results From the STICH Trial (Surgical Treatment for Ischemic Heart Failure).

Background: Female sex is conventionally considered a risk factor for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and has been included as a poor prognostic factor in multiple cardiac operative risk evaluation scores. We aimed to investigate the association of sex and the long-term benefit of CABG in patients with ischemic left ventricular dysfunction enrolled in the prospective STICH trial (Surgical Treatment for Ischemic Heart Failure Study).

Methods: The STICH trial randomized 1212 patients (148 [12%] women and 1064 [88%] men) with coronary artery disease and left ventricular ejection fraction ≤35% to CABG+medical therapy (MED) versus MED alone.

Regional left ventricular function does not predict survival in ischaemic cardiomyopathy after cardiac surgery.

Objectives: To define the prognostic contribution of global and regional left ventricular (LV) function measurements in patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy randomised to coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) with (n=501) or without (n=499) surgical ventricular reconstruction (SVR).

Methods: Novel multivariable methods to analyse global and regional LV systolic function were used to better formulate prediction models for long-term mortality following CABG with or without SVR in the entire cohort of 1000 randomised SVR hypothesis patients. Key clinical variables were included in the analysis.

Transcatheter valve-in-ring implantation of a repositionable valve system for treatment of severe mitral regurgitation.

Introduction: Years after mitral valve surgery, progressive degeneration of reconstructed mitral valves or bioprostheses might lead to severe mitral valve regurgitation. Patients with significant comorbidity, or impaired left ventricular function are poor candidates for redo surgery at an acceptable risk at that later time point.

Methods And Results: This study reports the first-in-man transapical valve-in-ring implantations in the mitral position of the fully repositionable Lotus valve system approved for transcatheter aortic valve replacement in Europe.

Effective and rapid sealing of coronary, aortic and atrial suture lines †.

Objectives: Cardiac surgical procedures carry a high risk of perioperative bleeding. Surgical sealants are often used to prevent suture line bleeding. PreveLeak™ is a surgical sealant composed of bovine serum albumin, a polyaldehyde cross-linker, and other components that forms a soft, flexible, water-tight, mechanical seal that is biocompatible and bioresorbable.

[Case report: extracorporeal life support for treatment of fulminant pulmonary embolism in a young woman during pregnancy].

During pregnancy, prothrombotic changes of the coagulation system are associated with an increased risk for thrombotic events such as deep vein thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolism. We report the case of a thirty-one year old woman, who suffered severe pulmonary embolism with cardiogenic shock during pregnancy. Systemic fibrinolysis failed to improve hemodynamic deterioration.