Secondary analysis of potential associations between oral health and infection-related parameters in patients with severe heart failure-results of a German cohort.

Objectives: Aim of this retrospective cohort study was to evaluate whether oral health parameters would be associated with infection-related parameters and overall survival of patients with severe heart failure (HF).

Methods: Patients with severe HF, heart transplantation (HTx) and left-ventricular assist device (LVAD), which underwent a full oral examination between 2017 and 2018 were included. Infection-related and survival data were assessed from the patient´s medical records.

No Association between Clinical Periodontal Conditions and Microbiological Findings on Driveline of Patients with Left-Ventricular Assist Devices (LVAD).

The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate whether there would be an association between periodontal disease parameters and positive bacterial findings at the driveline of patients with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). Patients with an LVAD, who underwent a full oral and microbiological examination between 2016 and 2018, were included. During oral examination, periodontitis severity (stage and grade) and the periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA) were evaluated.

Comparison of periodontal parameters between patients with ischemic and dilative cardiomyopathy.

Background: This cross-sectional study aimed in the comparison of periodontal parameters, number of remaining teeth and oral behaviour between patients with ischemic- (ICM) and non-ischemic dilative cardiomyopathy (DCM).

Methods: Patients with HF from the Department for Cardiac Surgery at the Heart Center Leipzig were included. The two groups (ICM and DCM) were composed by matching according to age, gender and smoking habits.

Oral health-related quality of life in patients with heart failure and left ventricular assist devices-results of a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to compare oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of patients with left ventricular assist device (LVAD) and heart failure (HF).

Material And Methods: Seventy-four patients with LVAD were recruited from University Department for Cardiac Surgery, Leipzig Heart Center, Germany. A group of 72 patients with HF was composed by matching (age, gender, smoking).

Oral health and dental behaviour of patients with left ventricular assist device: a cross-sectional study.

Aims: The aim of this cross-sectional study was the assessment of dental behaviour, oral health, as well as oral health-related quality of life of patients with left ventricular assist device (LVAD).

Methods And Results: Patients (128) with LVAD were recruited from the University Department for Cardiac Surgery at Heart Center, Leipzig, Germany. A healthy control group (HC, n = 113) was included.

Oral health-related quality of life of patients after heart transplantation and those with heart failure is associated with general health-related quality of life: a cross-sectional study.

Purpose: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in patients after heart transplantation (HTx) and those with heart failure (HF).

Methods: In total, 186 participants (HTx: 104, HF: 82) were recruited from the University Department for Cardiac Surgery, Leipzig Heart Centre, Germany. OHRQoL was assessed with the German short form of the oral health impact profile (OHIP-G14).

Lack in Periodontal Care of Patients Suffering from Severe Heart Diseases-Results after 12 Months Follow-Up.

Background: To assess whether the standardized recommendation of patients with heart failure (HF), left-ventricular assist device (LVAD) and heart transplantation (HTx) to visit their dentist leads to improved oral conditions after 12 months.

Methods: Patients from the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Leipzig Heart Centre, Germany were examined at baseline and after 12 months. A dental (decayed-, missing-, and filled-teeth index (DMF-T)) and periodontal examination (periodontal probing depth, clinical attachment loss) was performed.

Insufficient Oral Behaviour and the High Need for Periodontal Treatment in Patients with Heart Insufficiency and after Heart Transplantation: A Need for Special Care Programs?

Background: The aim of this cross-sectional study was the assessment of dental behaviour and oral health condition of heart transplant recipients (HTx) in comparison to patients with heart insufficiency (HI).

Methods: Patients attending the Department for Cardiac Surgery, Leipzig Heart Center, Germany were recruited. Standardized questionnaires regarding dental behaviour and periodontal complaints were applied.

Treatment of hypercholesterolaemia with PCSK9 inhibitors in patients after cardiac transplantation.

Background: Hypercholesterolaemia is common in patients after cardiac transplantation. Monoclonal antibodies that inhibit proprotein convertase subtilisin-kexin type 9 (PCSK9) reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels and subsequently the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with dyslipidaemia. There are no published data on the effect of this medication class on cholesterol levels in patients after cardiac transplantation.

Cardiac Surgery Compared With Antibiotics Only in Patients Developing Infective Endocarditis After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Background Infective endocarditis ( IE ) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement is a devastating complication associated with a high mortality. Our objective was to determine the impact of cardiac surgery (CS) and antibiotics ( IE - CS ) compared with medical treatment with antibiotics only ( IE - AB x) on 1-year mortality in patients developing IE after transcatheter aortic valve replacement. Methods and Results Patients developing IE after transcatheter aortic valve replacement were included in this retrospective analysis.

Evaluation of risk factors for a fulminant Clostridium difficile infection after cardiac surgery: a single-center, retrospective cohort study.

Background: Clostridium difficile (CD) is the most common pathogen causing nosocomial diarrhea. The clinical presentation ranges from mild diarrhea to severe complications, including pseudomembranous colitis, toxic megacolon, sepsis, and multi-organ failure. When the disease takes a fulminant course, death ensues rapidly in severe and complex cases.

Low-level red LED light inhibits hyperkeratinization and inflammation induced by unsaturated fatty acid in an in vitro model mimicking acne.

Background And Objective: Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous units (PSU), associated with increased sebum production, abnormal follicular keratinization (hyperkeratinization), follicular overgrowth of Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), and increased inflammatory mediator release. Light therapy has attracted medical interests as a safe alternative treatment for acne.

Use of over-the-scope clips (OTSC) for hemostasis in gastrointestinal bleeding in patients under antithrombotic therapy.

 In patients taking different regimens of antithrombotic and/or anticoagulant therapy, endoscopic management of gastrointestinal bleeding represents a major challenge due to failing endogenous hemostasis. In this retrospective study we report on success rates with the over-the-scope clip (OTSC) system in upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding in this high-risk patient population.  Between February 2011 and June 2014, 75 patients were treated with an OTSC for active gastrointestinal bleeding.

Gender-Based Long-Term Surgical Outcome in Patients with Active Infective Aortic Valve Endocarditis.

BACKGROUND The aim of this observational, single-center study was to evaluate the impact of gender on surgical outcome in patients with active infective endocarditis (AIE) of the aortic valve. MATERIAL AND METHODS Between October 1994 and January 2011, 755 patients (558 men and 297 women) underwent surgery for AIE at the Leipzig Heart Center, Germany, according to the modified Duke criteria. Data were collected before surgery and as the study was ongoing.

Tricuspid Valve Surgery in Patients with Isolated Tricuspid Valve Endocarditis: Analysis of Perioperative Parameters and Long-Term Outcomes.

 The aim of this study was to evaluate the perioperative characteristics and the short- and mid-term outcomes in patients undergoing tricuspid valve (TV) surgery for isolated TV endocarditis.  A total of 56 patients with isolated TV endocarditis underwent TV surgery at a single center between June 1995 and February 2012. Mean age of patients was 53.

Outcome of aortic valve replacement for active infective endocarditis in patients on chronic hemodialysis.

Background: The high risk of morbidity and mortality for patients on hemodialysis who are undergoing cardiac surgery is increased for those with active infective endocarditis (AIE). This retrospective observational single-center study evaluated the impact of chronic hemodialysis on the outcome of aortic valve replacement in patients with aortic AIE.

Methods: Data were retrospectively collected for consecutive patients undergoing aortic valve surgery for AIE diagnosed according to modified Duke criteria between October 1994 and January 2011.

Surgery for infective endocarditis complicated by cerebral embolism: a consecutive series of 375 patients.

Objective: To determine the influence of silent and symptomatic cerebral embolism on outcome of urgent/emergent surgery after acute infective endocarditis (AIE).

Methods: From a total of 1571 patients with AIE admitted to our institution between May 1995 and March 2012 about one-quarter (375 patients; mean age, 61.8 ± 13.

Double valve replacement and reconstruction of the intervalvular fibrous body in patients with active infective endocarditis.

Objectives: Destruction of the intervalvular fibrous body, though uncommon, occurs due to paravalvular abscess formation following active infective endocarditis. This warrants a highly complex operation involving radical surgical debridement of the intervalvular fibrous body, followed by double valve (aortic and mitral) replacement with patch reconstruction of the anterior mitral annulus, the left ventricular outflow tract and the left atrial roof. The objective of this study was to review the early and mid-term outcomes in patients undergoing this operation.

Outcome of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as a bridge to lung transplantation and graft recovery.

Background: Indications for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) use in lung transplantation are (1) temporary assistance as a bridge to transplantation, (2) stabilization of hemodynamics during transplantation in place of cardiopulmonary bypass, and (3) treatment of severe lung dysfunction and primary graft failure after transplantation. This study compares the survival of lung transplant recipients requiring ECMO support with survival of patients without ECMO.

Methods: A retrospective database review was performed for 108 consecutive patients who underwent single-lung or bilateral-lung transplantation at our center between 2002 and 2009.

Sternum sparing thoracotomy incisions in lung transplantation surgery: a superior technique to the clamshell approach.

Objective: : Bilateral anterior transsternal thoracotomy incision (clamshell technique) is the standard approach used for bilateral sequential lung transplantation (LTX). The morbidity and wound complications of this large incision can be considerable and costly. Muscle sparing anterior thoracotomies without division of the sternum may lead to decreasing the sequelae of wound complications.

Preoperative introduction and maintenance immunosuppression therapy of oral-only tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil and steroids reduce acute rejection episodes after lung transplantation.

Objective: Immunosuppression therapy in lung transplantation (LTX) remains unsatisfactory due to a high incidence of infection and frequent acute rejection (AR), leading to early onset of the bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS). The long-term success of LTX is limited by BOS, associated with marked morbidity and mortality. The strongest risk factor for BOS is frequent AR.

Munich Oktoberfest experience: remarkable impact of sex and age in ethanol intoxication.

Approximately 5,000 of 6 million annual visitors of the Oktoberfest in Munich have to undergo medical treatment. Patients with alcohol intoxication without trauma or further complications are all treated in a specialized medical camp. We studied these patients in order to identify risk factors and to assess the relevance of the Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) and of ethanol blood concentrations for patient management.

Surgical atrial septal defect closure after interventional occluder placement: incidence and outcome.

Objective: Closure of ostium secundum atrial septal defects is generally performed by using an interventional approach. We evaluated the outcome of patients requiring secondary surgical therapy.

Methods: From September 1996 until December, 2005, 418 patients received interventional and 297 patients underwent surgical closure of an ostium secundum atrial septal defect at our center.