Sustainability and nutritional composition of food offer and choices in three hospital canteens in Italy.

Diet is considered one of the most important determinants of health and at the same time a cause of climate change. We conducted a cross-sectional study in three Italian hospital canteens on five consecutive working days to investigate food offer availability and user choices in terms of nutritional intake and environmental impact. Photos of lunch trays were collected by the researchers and food offer and choices were analysed using the Italian Food Composition Database for Epidemiological Studies and the SU-EATABLE LIFE dataset.

Predictors of 30-Day Hospital Readmission Following CABG in a Multicenter Database: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: The analysis of indicators such as hospital readmission rates is crucial for improving the quality of services and management of hospital processes.

Objectives: To identify the variables correlated with hospital readmission up to 30 days following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Methods: Cross-sectional cohort study by REPLICCAR II database (N=3,392) from June 2017 to June 2019.

Colchicine in Patients With Coronary Disease Who Underwent Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Recent randomized evidence has shown that low-dose colchicine lowers the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with chronic coronary artery disease. Colchicine has also been used in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), with individual studies suggesting protective effects for postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF). We performed a meta-analysis of studies assessing the effect of colchicine on outcomes in CABG surgery.

Plaque Characteristics Derived from Intravascular Optical Coherence Tomography That Predict Cardiovascular Death.

This study aimed to investigate whether plaque characteristics derived from intravascular optical coherence tomography (IVOCT) could predict a long-term cardiovascular (CV) death. This study was a single-center, retrospective study on 104 patients who had undergone IVOCT-guided percutaneous coronary intervention. Plaque characterization was performed using Optical Coherence TOmography PlaqUe and Stent (OCTOPUS) software developed by our group.

Elevated myocardial extracellular volume fraction is associated with the development of conduction pathway defects following transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has become an established method of aortic stenosis treatment but suffers from the risk of heart block and pacemaker requirement. Risk stratification for patients who may develop heart block remains imperfect. Simultaneously, myocardial fibrosis as measured by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) has been demonstrated as a prognostic indicator of ventricular recovery and mortality following TAVR.

Age, Renal Failure and Transfusion are Risk Predictors of Prolonged Hospital Stay after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery.

Background: Identifying risk factors in cardiovascular surgery assists in predictability, resulting in optimization of outcomes and cost reduction.

Objective: This study aimed to identify preoperative and intraoperative risk predictors for prolonged hospitalization after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery in the state of São Paulo, Brazil.

Methods: A cross-sectional analysis using data from the REPLICCAR II database, a prospective, consecutive, multicenter registry that included CABG surgeries performed between August 2017 and July 2019.

Benefits of using a support bra in women undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery: A randomized trial.

Background: Approximately 30 % of cardiac surgeries are conducted on women by median sternotomy, which often causes discomfort such as pain, affects quality of life, and delayed recovery compared with men. Breast size is related to operative wound complications, such as incisional pain, sternum dehiscence, and infection, which may affect hospital costs due to prolonged hospital stays.

Objective: To evaluate breast size and operative wound complications and the effect of breast support on the incidence of pain, infection, and quality of life in women after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Incidence, progression, and predictors of left atrial appendage sealing after Watchman FLX device implantation with computed tomographic assessment.

Background: Limited data exists regarding incidence, progression, and predictors of left atrial appendage (LAA) sealing after transcatheter LAA closure. We aimed to evaluate the incidence, progression, and predictive factors associated with LAA sealing after LAA closure.

Methods: This study includes patients who underwent successful LAA closure with Watchman FLX device and had both pre- and postprocedural computed tomography (CT).

Markers of Tissue Perfusion as Predictors of Adverse Outcomes in Patients with Left Ventricular Dysfunction Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery.

Background: Cardiac surgery patients may be exposed to tissue hypoperfusion and anaerobic metabolism.

Objective: To verify whether the biomarkers of tissue hypoperfusion have predictive value for prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stay in patients with left ventricular dysfunction who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery.

Methods: After approval by the institution's Ethics Committee and the signing of informed consent, 87 patients with left ventricular dysfunction (ejection fraction < 50%) undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery were enrolled.

Difference Between Cardiopulmonary Bypass Time and Aortic Cross-Clamping Time as a Predictor of Complications After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

Introduction: Along with cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic cross-clamping time is directly related to the risk of complications after heart surgery. The influence of the time difference between cardiopulmonary bypass and cross-clamping times (TDC-C) remains poorly understood.

Objective: To assess the impact of cardiopulmonary bypass time in relation to cross-clamping time on immediate results after coronary artery bypass grafting in the Registro Paulista de Cirurgia Cardiovascular (REPLICCAR) II.

Deep learning segmentation of fibrous cap in intravascular optical coherence tomography images.

Thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) is a prominent risk factor for plaque rupture. Intravascular optical coherence tomography (IVOCT) enables identification of fibrous cap (FC), measurement of FC thicknesses, and assessment of plaque vulnerability. We developed a fully-automated deep learning method for FC segmentation.

Percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion in mitral valve disease: A Nationwide Readmission Database analysis.

Background: Percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) has emerged as a non-pharmacologic alternative to oral anticoagulation in reducing stroke risk in AF patients. However, patients with mitral valve disease (MVD), who are expected to have a significantly greater risk of left atrium (LA) thrombus formation and embolic stroke were excluded from randomized trials examining percutaneous LAAO. To address this gap, we present a national registry analysis of the use of LAAO among patients with MVD.

Prediction of stent under-expansion in calcified coronary arteries using machine learning on intravascular optical coherence tomography images.

It can be difficult/impossible to fully expand a coronary artery stent in a heavily calcified coronary artery lesion. Under-expanded stents are linked to later complications. Here we used machine/deep learning to analyze calcifications in pre-stent intravascular optical coherence tomography (IVOCT) images and predicted the success of vessel expansion.

Amulet device implantation following incomplete left atrial appendage closure with Watchman legacy device.

Peri-device leak after left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) is often treated with endovascular coils, plugs, or second occluders. This is the first study reporting the Amulet device used for peri-device leak. An 80-year-old male with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and recurrent falls with head trauma who underwent LAAC with a 24 mm Watchman 2.

Midterm follow-up after computed tomography angiography planned left atrial appendage closure.

Background: While studies have shown the advantages of computed tomography angiography (CTA) over transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) preprocedural planning for WATCHMAN™ legacy and FLX devices, there has been no reported long-term data for this approach.

Objectives: We sought to evaluate long-term outcomes using CTA-based preprocedural planning for LAAC using the WATCHMAN™ device.

Methods: A prospective analysis of 231 consecutive patients who underwent LAAC in a single, large academic hospital in the United States was conducted over a 5-year period.

Efficacy of 3D-multidetector computed tomography and fluoroscopy fusion for percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion procedures.

Introduction: We studied the impact of the use of three-dimensional multidetector computed tomography (3D-MDCT) and fluoroscopy fusion on percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) procedures in relation to procedure time, contrast volume, fluoroscopy time, and total radiation.

Methods: This was a single-center, prospective, single-blinded, randomized control trial. Patients meeting criteria for LAAO were randomized to undergo LAAO with the WATCHMAN FLX device with and without 3D-MDCT-fluoroscopy fusion guidance using a prespecified protocol using computed tomography angiography for WATCHMAN FLX sizing, moderate sedation, and intracardiac echocardiography for procedural guidance.

Left Atrial Appendage Closure Outcomes in Patients With Cancer at a Single Tertiary Center.

Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia in patients with underlying malignancy. Patients with cancer have a higher risk of bleeding, and at the same time, carry an elevated risk of thromboembolism related to the hypercoagulable state, type of cancer, and anticancer treatment, rendering safe anticoagulation challenging in this population. Left atrial appendage closure is an alternative treatment option in patients with atrial fibrillation and high bleeding risk; however, the data on patients with cancer are limited.

Extra-plaque rotational atherectomy for treating a balloon uncrossable ostial right coronary artery chronic total occlusion.

Performing atherectomy in the subintimal space remains controversial. We describe a case of successful ostial right coronary artery CTO recanalization using rotational atherectomy in subintimal space.

Immediate Results after Multiple Arterial Grafts in Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery in the São Paulo State: Cross Cohort Study.

Background: The short-term results after using arterial grafts still raise questions and doubts for medical society.

Objective: To compare the immediate outcomes of patients undergoing single arterial graft versus multiple arterial grafts coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.

Methods: Cross-sectional cohort study in the São Paulo Registry of Cardiovascular Surgery II (REPLICCAR II).