Risk Factors for Reduced Long-Term Survival Following Isolated Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in Different Age Groups.

Background: According to recent guidelines, the selection of transcatheter vs surgical aortic valve replacement (TAVR vs SAVR) in low-risk patients depends on age and life expectancy. Our objective was to understand independent risk factors for reduced life expectancy following isolated SAVR and the rate of redo aortic valve (AV) intervention in different age groups, to delineate optimal intervention depending on patient characteristics.

Methods: Between 2000 and 2015, 2026 patients underwent isolated SAVR with Carpentier-Edwards pericardial tissue valves (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA).

Three-Dimensional Imaging Improves Accuracy in Clip Sizing During Thoracoscopic Left Atrial Appendage Exclusion.

The AtriClip is an epicardially applied occlusion device for the left atrial appendage. Accurate sizing and placement of the device is essential to its success. We describe the use of 3-dimensional computed tomography imaging to aid in accurate sizing of the AtriClip device during thoracoscopic surgical ablation.

Endoscopic Repair of Obstructive Cor Triatriatum.

• CTS is characterized by a membrane that divides the left atrium into two chambers. • This patient also presented with mitral regurgitation. • The authors present multimodality images and intraoperative video clips.

Link between Brugada phenocopy and myocardial ischemia: Results from the International Registry on Brugada Phenocopy.

Background: Brugada phenocopies clinical entities that have indistinguishable electrocardiographic (ECG) patterns from true congenital Brugada syndrome. However, they are induced by other clinical circumstances such as myocardial ischemia. The purpose of our study was to examine the clinical features and pathogenesis of ischemia-induced Brugada phenocopy (BrP).

Minimally Invasive Periareolar Approach to Cor Triatriatum Repair.

Cor triatriatum sinister is an uncommon cardiac abnormality characterized by a membrane that divides the left atrium into two chambers. Definitive management requires surgical resection, traditionally through sternotomy. Minimally invasive reparative techniques are associated with reduced blood loss, shorter hospitalization, faster recovery time, and improved cosmesis with excellent patient satisfaction.

Ochronosis of Mitral Valve and Coronary Arteries.

Cardiac ochronosis is a rare complication of alkaptonuria, a disorder of tyrosine metabolism characterized by a triad of dark urine, pigmentation of tissues, and ochronotic arthropathies. When present, cardiac ochronosis generally affects the aortic valve, resulting in aortic stenosis. More rarely, it may affect the mitral valve and the coronary arteries.

Relation of the Brugada Phenocopy to Hyperkalemia (from the International Registry on Brugada Phenocopy).

Brugada phenocopies (BrPs) are clinical entities that differ in etiology from true congenital Brugada syndrome but have identical electrocardiographic (ECG) patterns. Hyperkalemia is known to be one of the causes of BrP. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical characteristics and evolution of hyperkalemia-induced BrP.

New methodologies for measuring Brugada ECG patterns cannot differentiate the ECG pattern of Brugada syndrome from Brugada phenocopy.

Background: Brugada phenocopies (BrP) are clinical entities characterized by ECG patterns that are identical to true Brugada syndrome (BrS), but are elicited by various clinical circumstances. A recent study demonstrated that the patterns of BrP and BrS are indistinguishable under the naked eye, thereby validating the concept that the patterns are identical.

Objective: The aim of our study was to determine whether recently developed ECG criteria would allow for discrimination between type-2 BrS ECG pattern and type-2 BrP ECG pattern.

Methods for Improving the Diagnosis of a Brugada ECG Pattern.

Brugada syndrome (BrS) is an inherited channelopathy that predisposes individuals to malignant arrhythmias and can lead to sudden cardiac death. The condition is characterized by two electrocardiography (ECG) patterns: the type-1 or "coved" ECG and the type-2 or "saddleback" ECG. Although the type-1 Brugada ECG pattern is diagnostic for the condition, the type-2 Brugada ECG pattern requires differential diagnosis from conditions that produce a similar morphology.

Brugada phenocopies are the leading differential diagnosis of Brugada syndrome.

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