Three-Dimensional Modelling of Indexed Papillary Muscle Displacement in Patients Requiring Mitral Valve Surgery Using Four-Dimensional Echocardiography Variables.

: Two-dimensional and three-dimensional echocardiographic imaging are commonly used in assessing ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) and degenerative mitral regurgitation (DMR) in patients with mitral valve disease. However, the use of 4D echocardiographic imaging has not yet been reported. The objectives of this study were to explore the efficacy of utilizing 4D echocardiographic variables, determine papillary muscle displacement in patients with either IMR or DMR, and compare the differences in papillary muscle displacement between groups.

Harnessing the power of artificial intelligence in predicting all-cause mortality in transcatheter aortic valve replacement: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: In recent years, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) models to generate individualised risk assessments and predict patient outcomes post-Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) has been a topic of increasing relevance in literature. This study aims to evaluate the predictive accuracy of AI algorithms in forecasting post-TAVI mortality as compared to traditional risk scores.

Methods: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) standard, a systematic review was carried out.

DNA Damage Tolerance Pathways in Human Cells: A Potential Therapeutic Target.

DNA lesions arising from both exogenous and endogenous sources occur frequently in DNA. During DNA replication, the presence of unrepaired DNA damage in the template can arrest replication fork progression, leading to fork collapse, double-strand break formation, and to genome instability. To facilitate completion of replication and prevent the generation of strand breaks, DNA damage tolerance (DDT) pathways play a key role in allowing replication to proceed in the presence of lesions in the template.

Automated Suture Fastener Gaining Complete Commitment: Cumulative Propensity-Matched Comparison with Hand-Tied Knot in Heart Valve Surgery.

Objective: The COR-KNOT® device is an automated suture fastener in which there is currently no consensus on its role in heart valve surgery. Our aim was thus to conduct a one-to-one comparison of clinical outcomes with a hand-tied control cohort.

Methods: We performed a single-center, cumulative propensity-matched retrospective cohort study on patients undergoing heart valve surgery from 1 January 2015 to 13 February 2020.

Incidence of valvular regurgitation and leaflet perforation by using automated titanium fasteners (CORKNOT®) in heart valve repair or replacement: less usual than reported.

Background: CORKNOT® facilitates a reduction in cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time, aortic cross clamp (ACC) time and operative time, but reported to be associated with other complications. We aim to quantify the incidence of valvular complications related to CORKNOT® and determine the feasibility of its use between different valvular surgeries.

Methods: Patients who underwent heart valve repair or replacement surgery via the use of automated titanium suture fasteners (CORKNOT®) in a tertiary care hospital were included in the study.

Automated Fastener vs Hand-tied Knots in Heart Valve Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Although several studies revealed that the Cor-knot automated fastener (LSI Solutions, Victor, NY) reduces aortic cross-clamp and cardiopulmonary bypass times, the influence of the device on postoperative morbidity and mortality still needs to be evaluated. The aim of this study was to verify the hypothesis that the use of the Cor-knot device for heart valve surgery reduces aortic cross-clamp and cardiopulmonary bypass times, and this time saving translates into reduced morbidity and mortality.

Methods: Retrospective cohort studies and randomized controlled trials reporting on the use of the automated fastener vs hand-tied knots were reviewed.

FFR-guided versus coronary angiogram-guided CABG: A review and meta-analysis of prospective randomized controlled trials.

Background: Fractional flow reserve (FFR) is a well-established method for the evaluation of coronary artery stenosis before percutaneous coronary intervention. However, whether FFR assessment should be routinely used before coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) remains unclear. A meta-analysis of prospectively randomized controlled trials (PRCTs) was carried out to compare the outcomes of FFR-guided CABG vs coronary angiography (CAG)-guided CABG.

Structural durability of early-generation Transcatheter aortic valve replacement valves compared with surgical aortic valve replacement valves in heart valve surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The current treatment for aortic stenosis includes open surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) as well as endovascular transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). This study aims to compare the 1-year, 2-3 year and 5-year structural durability of TAVR valves with that of SAVR valves.

Method: A systematic literature search was conducted in July 2019 on Medline (via PubMed), Embase and Cochrane electronic databases according to the PRISMA guidelines.

Comparison of outcomes of the use of Del Nido and St. Thomas cardioplegia in adult and paediatric cardiac surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: In recent years, the use of del Nido cardioplegia, initially intended for paediatric cardiac surgery, has been extended to adult cardiac surgery in many institutions. Our aim was thus to compare the outcomes of the use of del Nido cardioplegia with that of conventional cardioplegia and discuss its role in both adult and paediatric cardiac surgery.

Method: A systematic literature search was conducted in August 2019 on Medline (via PubMed), Embase and Cochrane electronic databases according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.