Elderly patients benefit from minimally invasive mitral valve surgery: perioperative risk management matters.

Objectives: The goal was to assess the single-centre results of minimally invasive mitral valve surgery (MIMVS) in the elderly population.

Methods: All patients referred for minimally invasive valve surgery underwent a standardized preoperative screening. We performed a retrospective analysis of 131 consecutive elderly patients (≥75 years) who underwent endoscopic MIMVS through a right mini-thoracotomy.

Long-term follow-up of tracheoplasty using autologous pericardial patch and strips of costal cartilage.

Objectives: To evaluate long-term results of tracheoplasty using autologous pericardial patch and strips of costal cartilage for relieving severe long-segment tracheal stenosis.

Methods: Data were collected retrospectively by clinical chart review. Between 1995 and 2013, 21 patients underwent tracheoplasty.

Reoperation for neoaortic root pathology after the arterial switch operation.

Objectives: To evaluate incidence and results of surgical intervention for neoaortic root pathology following arterial switch operation (ASO) for transposition of the great arteries (TGA).

Methods: Between April 1996 and August 2013, 12 patients underwent reoperation for neoaortic root dilatation (ARD) and/or neoaortic valve regurgitation (AR). Maximal aortic sinus and annulus diameter Z-scores were recorded.

Levosimendan improves renal function in patients with advanced chronic heart failure awaiting cardiac transplantation.

Background: Long-term impact of levosimendan on renal function remains undefined. Prospectively, we evaluated effects of levosimendan on renal function in patients with advanced chronic heart failure awaiting cardiac transplantation.

Methods And Results: Of 40 patients, 20 were randomized to receive levosimendan (10-minute bolus 12 microg/kg, followed by 0.

Statin-associated QTc interval shortening as prognostic indicator in heart transplant recipients.

Statin treatment promotes survival after cardiac transplantation by reducing cholesterol levels, allograft rejection, and transplant coronary artery disease. Analysis of data from 114 heart transplant recipients (including 86 treated with statins for < or =1 year post-transplantation) revealed that statins were associated with shortened corrected QT intervals (QTc), reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and reduced transplant coronary artery disease incidence at 1 year and improved survival at 5 years. Statin-associated QTc shortening thus appears to be a favorable prognostic sign after transplantation.

Survival, graft atherosclerosis, and rejection incidence in heart transplant recipients treated with statins: 5-year follow-up.

Background: Few studies have examined the long-term benefits of statin treatment in heart transplant recipients.

Methods: In this observational study, we retrospectively reviewed data pertaining to 5-year follow-up of patients who underwent heart transplantation between 1993 and 1996 and who survived the first 30 days after transplantation. Patients were assigned to groups according to whether or not they received pravastatin after transplantation, and then compared with regard to transplant rejection, transplant coronary artery disease, and survival.