The influence of Marfans and bicuspid valves on outcomes following aortic valve reimplantation.

Background: We analyzed our early and midterm results with aortic valve reimplantation surgery to determine the influence of Marfan syndrome and bicuspid valves on outcomes with this technique.

Methods: Between March 2004 and December 2015, 267 patients underwent aortic valve reimplantation operations. The mean diameter of the sinuses of Valsalva was 50 ± 3 mm and moderate/severe aortic regurgitation was present in 34.

Endocarditis in patients with ascending aortic prosthetic graft: a case series from a national multicentre registry.

Objectives: Endocarditis in patients with ascending aortic prosthetic graft (AAPG) is a life-threatening complication. The purpose of this study was to examine the clinical presentation and prognosis of patients with AAPG endocarditis included in a large prospective infectious endocarditis multicentre study.

Methods: From January 2008 to April 2015, 3200 consecutive patients with infectious endocarditis according to the modified Duke criteria, were prospectively included in the 'Spanish Collaboration on Endocarditis Registry (GAMES)' registry.

Characteristics of patients with survival longer than 20 years following heart transplantation.

Introduction And Objectives: The number of heart-transplant recipients exceeding 20 years of follow-up is steadily increasing. However, little is known about their functional status, comorbidities, and mortality. Identifying the predictors of prolonged survival could guide the selection of candidates for the low number of available donors.

Gonococcal endocarditis: a case report and review of the literature.

A 59-year-old Caucasian male presented with progressive dyspnea, arthralgias and fever for three days. A diastolic regurgitation murmur was detected in the aortic area. A transesophageal echocardiograph showed several vegetations and severe aortic regurgitation.

RADIAL: a novel primary graft failure risk score in heart transplantation.

Background: Primary graft failure (PGF) is the leading cause of early mortality after heart transplantation (HT). Our aim is to propose a working definition of PGF and to develop a predictive risk score.

Methods: PGF was defined by four criteria reflecting significant myocardial dysfunction, severe hemodynamic impairment, early onset after HT, and absence of secondary causes of graft dysfunction.

Factors influencing the mechanical behaviour of healthy human descending thoracic aorta.

In recent times, significant effort has been made to understand the mechanical behaviour of the arterial wall and how it is affected by the different vascular pathologies. However, to be able to interpret the results correctly, it is essential that the influence of other factors, such as aging or anisotropy, be understood. Knowledge of mechanical behaviour of the aorta has been customarily constrained by lack of data on fresh aortic tissue, especially from healthy young individuals.

Intravascular ultrasound measurement of the aortic lumen.

Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) has been successfully used to guide the implantation of stents in the thoracic aorta. However, its accuracy in measuring the diameter of the aortic lumen has not been clearly established. Thirteen patients with thoracic aortic disease underwent IVUS, and lumen diameter measurements were compared with those obtained by CT or magnetic resonance imaging.