Prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass time as predictive factor for bloodstream infection.

Objectives: To evaluate the correlation between patient characteristics, operative variables and the risk of blood stream infection as well as the association of primary blood stream infection and adverse outcomes.

Methods: Clinical records of 6500 adult patients who underwent open heart surgery between February 2008 and October 2020 were analyzed. The microbiological pattern of the primary BSI and its association with adverse events, such as mortality and major cardiovascular events, were evaluated.

Outcome of right ventricular assist device implantation following left ventricular assist device implantation: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: The main aim was a systematic evaluation of the current evidence on outcomes for patients undergoing right ventricular assist device (RVAD) implantation following left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation.

Methods: This systematic review was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42019130131). Reports evaluating in-hospital as well as follow-up outcome in LVAD and LVAD/RVAD implantation were identified through Ovid Medline, Web of Science and EMBASE.

Acute aortic dissection with entry tear at the aortic arch: long-term outcome.

Objectives: The goal was to evaluate outcomes after conservative or surgical treatment of acute aortic arch dissections.

Methods: Between January 2009 and December 2018, patients with a diagnosis of acute aortic dissection were analysed. Aortic arch aortic dissection was defined as a dissection with an isolated entry tear at the aortic arch with no involvement of the ascending aorta.

Modified frozen elephant trunk procedure as standard approach in acute type A aortic dissection: A propensity-weighted analysis.

Objectives: To evaluate whether the modified frozen elephant trunk (mFET) procedure provides comparable outcome compared with the standard approach for DeBakey type I aortic dissection.

Methods: From November 2008 to December 2018, 262 (mean age 62.7 ± 12.

Impact of Modified Frozen Elephant Trunk Procedure on Downstream Aorta Remodeling in Acute Aortic Dissection: CT Scan Follow-Up.

Objectives: The aim was to evaluate the impact of a modified frozen elephant trunk procedure (mFET) on remodeling of the downstream aorta following acute aortic dissections.

Methods: Over a period of 8 years, 205 patients (mean age 62.6 ± 12.

Aortic root and ascending aorta dimensions in acute aortic dissection.

Objectives: Aim of this study was to evaluate ascending aorta and aortic root dimension at acute type A dissection (acute aortic dissection) and to identify demographics elements being allied to the acute event.

Methods: In a period between 2009 and 2017, 225 (n = 71, 32% female, mean age = 63 ± 12 years) patients eligible for analysis of ascending aorta and 223 (n = 70, 31% female, mean age = 63 ± 13 years) of aortic root were included in this study. Aortic diameter was assessed in preoperative computed tomography scan.

A systemic review and meta-analysis: Bentall versus David procedure in acute type A aortic dissection.

This systemic review of the literature and meta-analysis examined the current state of the evidence in long-term outcomes for and/or against aortic valve reimplantation (RAV) versus composite valve graft (CVG) intervention in patients with an acute type A dissection. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the baseline characteristics of patients across studies. A random-effects metaregression was performed across study arms with logit-transformed proportions weighted by the study size for each of these outcomes.

A systemic review and meta-analysis: long-term results of the Bentall versus the David procedure in patients with Marfan syndrome.

This systemic review of the literature and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the current state of the evidence for and against reimplantation of the aortic valve (RAV) versus the composite valve graft (CVG) intervention in patients with Marfan syndrome. Random effects meta-regression was performed across the study arms with logit-transformed proportions of in-hospital deaths as an outcome measure when possible. Results are presented as odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and P-values.

Aortic root morphology: a paradigm for successful reconstruction.

Aortic root (AoR) components provide synchronous and precise 3D deformation of the aortic root during the cardiac cycle in order to ensure closure and opening of the three leaflets over a lifetime. Any deviation from the natural 3D morphology, such as with AoR annulus dilatation, enlarged sinuses and/or dilatation of the sinotubular junction, as in the case of ascending aortic dilatation, may result in disruption of the natural AoR function. Surgical treatment of AoR pathology has two modalities: the replacement of the aortic valve by artificial prosthesis or by preservation of the three leaflets and reconstruction of the aortic root components.

Analysis of flow dynamics in right ventricular outflow tract.

Background: The mechanism behind early graft failure after right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) reconstruction is not fully understood. Our aim was to establish a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of RVOT to investigate the hemodynamic conditions that may trigger the development of intimal hyperplasia and arteriosclerosis.

Methods: Pressure, flow, and diameter at the RVOT, pulmonary artery (PA), bifurcation of the PA, and left and right PAs were measured in 10 normal pigs with a mean weight of 24.

Computational fluid dynamics of the right ventricular outflow tract and of the pulmonary artery: a bench model of flow dynamics.

Objectives: The reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) with valved conduits remains a challenge. The reoperation rate at 5 years can be as high as 25% and depends on age, type of conduit, conduit diameter and principal heart malformation. The aim of this study is to provide a bench model with computer fluid dynamics to analyse the haemodynamics of the RVOT, pulmonary artery, its bifurcation, and left and right pulmonary arteries that in the future may serve as a tool for analysis and prediction of outcome following RVOT reconstruction.

Ross procedure: is the root replacement technique superior to the sub-coronary implantation technique? Long-term results.

There is controversy over the use of the Ross procedure with regard to the sub-coronary and root replacement technique and its long-term durability. A systematic review of the literature may provide insight into the outcomes of these two surgical subvariants. A systematic review of reports between 1967 and February 2013 on sub-coronary and root replacement Ross procedures was undertaken.

Incidence and risk factors for Contegra graft infection following right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction: long-term results.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors associated with Contegra graft (Medtronic Minneapolis, MN, USA) infection after reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract.

Methods: One hundred and six Contegra grafts were implanted between April 1999 and April 2010 for the Ross procedure (n = 46), isolated pulmonary valve replacement (n = 32), tetralogy of Fallot (n = 24), double-outlet right ventricle (n = 7), troncus arteriosus (n = 4), switch operation (n = 1) and redo of pulmonary valve replacement (n = 2). The median age of the patients was 13 years (range 0-54 years).

Influence of deep sternal wound infection on long-term survival after cardiac surgery.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the influence of deep sternal wound infection on long-term survival following cardiac surgery.

Material And Methods: In our institutional database we retrospectively evaluated medical records of 4732 adult patients who received open-heart surgery from January 1995 through December 2005. The predictive factors for DSWI were determined using logistic regression analysis.

Surgical treatment for heart myxomas.

According to unselected autopsy data, primary cardiac tumours are a rare entity. About 80% of the tumours are benign and nearly half of these are myxomas. In clinical practice, when diagnosis of this pathological entity is ascertained, decision for surgical treatment is made in order to prevent thromboembolism and obstruction of the valvular apparatus.

No association between herpes simplex virus 1 and cardiac myxoma.

Principles: Cardiac myxoma is the most commonly diagnosed cardiac tumour. Infection of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1) has been postulated to be a factor for this pathologic entity. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the association between HSV 1 and myxoma occurrence.

The new advanced membrane gas exchanger.

Current membrane oxygenators are constructed for patients with a body surface under 2.2 m(2). If the body surface exceeds 2.

Delayed primary versus late secondary wound closure in the treatment of postsurgical sternum osteomyelitis.

Sternal osteomyelitis and poststernotomy mediastinitis is a severe and life-threatening complication after the cardiac surgery. The incidence ranges up to 3% with a mortality rate up to 29%. In addition, postoperative infections after sternotomy are associated with prolonged hospital stay, increased healthcare costs and impaired quality of patient life, representing an economic and social burden.

Self-expanding mini-cannula for remote perfusion with pediatric scenarios.

The aim of this report is to address the benefits of the minimal invasive venous drainage in a pediatric cardio surgical scenario. Juvenile bovine experiments (67.4+/-11 kg) were performed.