Long Covid as an Indication for Heart Transplantation and Its Characteristics.

Background: The post-acute cardiovascular manifestations of COVID-19, known as long COVID, have yet to be comprehensively characterized. There is also an increased risk of heart failure in individuals without cardiovascular disease before SARS-CoV-2 infection. The literature lacks information regarding the characteristics of patients with long COVID who developed advanced heart failure refractory to guideline-directed medical therapy.

Fatal case of donor-derived colistin-resistant carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae transmission in cardiac transplantation.

Herein we report a fatal case of donor-derived transmission of XDR-resistant carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (KPC-Kp) in cardiac transplantation. A 59-year-old male patient with non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy underwent heart transplantation. On day 5 post-operation, blood cultures from the donor were positive for colistin-resistant carbapenemase-producing K.

A new classification of post-sternotomy dehiscence.

The dehiscence after median transesternal sternotomy used as surgical access for cardiac surgery is one of its complications and it increases the patient's morbidity and mortality. A variety of surgical techniques were recently described resulting to the need of a classification bringing a measure of objectivity to the management of these complex and dangerous wounds. The different related classifications are based in the primary causal infection, but recently the anatomical description of the wound including the deepness and the vertical extension showed to be more useful.

Assessment of sternal closure using titanium plate.

Introduction: The use of plates and screws for more rigid fixation of the sternum, without maintaining contact between the upper portion of the sternum and mediastinum. The present study seeks new choice of plate with a significant difference, the same does not need to be removed in order to proceed to open when necessary sternal emerging opening of the bone.

Objective: The current study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this procedure.

Risk factors for pre, intra, and postoperative hospital mortality in patients undergoing aortic surgery.

Objectives: The primary objective was to identify predictors of hospital mortality in patients undergoing aortic surgery. The secondary objective was to identify factors associated with clinical outcome composed hospital (death, bleeding, neurologic complications or ventricular dysfunction).

Methods: A cross-sectional design with longitudinal component.

Use of the pectoralis major fasciocutaneous flap in the treatment of post sternotomy dehiscence: a new approach.

Objective: To describe a new surgical technique for the treatment dehiscence after median thoracotomy transsternal using fasciocutaneous flap composed of the pectoralis major fascia.

Methods: Between January 2009 and December 2010, from 1,573 patients submitted to coronary artery bypass graft, 21 developed wound dehiscence after sternotomy and were treated with bilateral pectoralis major muscle fasciocutaneous flap, including partial portion of the rectus abdominis fascia. Patients were followed for a minimum of 90 days postoperatively.