Long-Term Results and Quality of Life after Surgery for Acute Aortic Dissection Type A: Contemporary Single-Centre Experience.

: Aortic dissection is still afflicted with significant morbidity and mortality. This research seeks to assess long-term outcomes and quality of life after emergency surgery for acute aortic dissection type A. : A total of 413 patients were analysed, who had been operated upon between 2000 and 2016 at our centre.

Frozen elephant trunk versus conventional proximal repair of acute aortic dissection type I.

Objective: The extent of surgery and the role of the frozen elephant trunk (FET) for surgical repair of acute aortic dissection type I are still subjects of debate. The aim of the study is to evaluate the short- and long-term results of acute surgical repair of aortic dissection type I using the FET compared to standard proximal aortic repair.

Methods: Between October 2009 and December 2016, 172 patients underwent emergent surgery for acute type I aortic dissection at our center.

Left Subclavian Artery Sacrifice in Acute Aortic Dissection Repair using the Frozen Elephant Trunk.

Objective: Surgery of acute aortic dissection using the frozen elephant trunk (FET) can be complicated when the origin of the left subclavian artery (LSA) is dissected and sacrifice by ligation is a viable option. However, the LSA is supposed to play a role in neuroprotection as a major collateral. We, therefore, analyzed our results of LSA sacrifice in this cohort.

Treatment of functional mitral regurgitation by percutaneous annuloplasty using the Carillon Mitral Contour System-Currently available data state.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to provide a systematic review of currently available data about the percutaneous trans-coronary-venous mitral annuloplasty with the Carillon Mitral Contour System.

Method: A systematic literature search was conducted using the common medical and scientific databases. The documented parameters included among others grade of mitral regurgitation (MR), vena contracta (VC), effective regurgitant orifice area (EROA), 6 minute-walk-test (6MWT), NYHA-classification, and Quality of Life (QoL) at baseline, 30 days and in the long-term follow-up.

(Meta)-analysis of safety and efficacy following edge-to-edge mitral valve repair using the MitraClip system.

Objectives: The authors investigated safety and efficacy of the MitraClip-System (MCS) using a systematic analysis.

Background: The safety and efficacy of the MCS continues to be debated, and randomized trials are still lacking.

Method: A systematic literature search was conducted using common medical and scientific databases.

The MitraClip System: a systematic review of indications, procedural requirements, and guidelines.

Background: Transcatheter interventions (TIs) are new treatment options for patients with severe mitral valve regurgitation (MR) who cannot undergo open mitral valve surgery (oMVS). Despite the lack of scientific evidence demonstrating the benefit of these procedures, there has been a steady increase in their use. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether there are any indication criteria, process, and structural requirements, or scientific society and institutional guidelines for the use of the MitraClip System (Abbott Vascular-Structural Heart, Menlo Park, California, United States).

Vascular endostapling systems for vascular endografts (T)EVAR--systematic review--current state.

Purpose: Recently, vascular endostapling systems were developed to achieve better sealing at the proximal neck of the aneurysm and to prevent endograft migration. The purpose of this study was to provide a systematic review about the current state and possible options of vascular endostapling systems.

Results: No randomized controlled trials were published.

The use of a silicon sheet for gradual wound closure after fasciotomy.

We present a silicon sheet for temporary wound covering and gradual wound closure after open fasciotomy. Fasciotomy was performed in a total of 70 limbs with compartment syndrome (CS). The main etiology of CS was predominantly vascular.

Stent-assisted embolization as "bailout" option in aortic aneurysm.

The authors report two cases of stent-assisted embolization (SAE) in the aorta. In one case, SAE was performed for treatment of a pseudoaneurysm; the procedure consisted of stent placement and embolization with an AMPLATZER Vascular Plug and detachable coils through the stent struts. In the second case, SAE was performed to stop acute bleeding from an aortoureteral fistula.

Cellulose pads (Hydrotin-C): a new solid coupling agent.

Objectives: Hydrotin-C is a bacterial cellulose consisting of 90% of physiological solution. The cellulose pad is smooth and elastic and cannot be torn, and is therefore suitable for use on any local skin condition. The aim of this study was to evaluate the image quality (IQ) and transducer pressure of Hydrotin-C-Pads as a solid coupling agent compared with standard coupling gel.

Brain natriuretic peptide in cardiac surgery--influence of aprotinin.

Background: This study was designed to examine plasma concentrations of BNP and its correlations to the perioperative course in patients' cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

Methods: Sixty-five patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing CPB were examined. Pre, intra and postoperative BNP values and hemodynamic parameters were measured.

A practical approach for bridging anticoagulation after mechanical heart valve replacement.

Background And Aim Of The Study: Following mechanical heart valve replacement, patients may require a form of 'bridging' anticoagulation to prevent valve-associated thromboembolism until oral vitamin K antagonists take effect. In 2000, the present authors changed their bridging protocol to a fixed dose of 40 mg enoxaparin twice daily (b.i.

Antithrombotic therapy after bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement: ACTION Registry survey results.

Aims: A variety of antithrombotic regimens have been described for the early postoperative period after bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement (AVR). This study reviews antithrombotic practice for patients undergoing bioprosthetic AVR with or without coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) amongst the centers participating in the ACTION (Anticoagulation Treatment Influence on Postoperative Patients) Registry.

Methods And Results: An antithrombotic therapy questionnaire was answered by the 49 centers participating in the ACTION Registry located in Europe, Middle East, Canada and Asia.

Usefulness of BNP-administration in cardiac surgery: animal model.

Objective: The pharmacologic properties of Brain natriuretic peptide make it a favourable substance to use after cardiac operations. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of BNP following cardio-pulmonary bypass (CPB).

Method: Nineteen pigs were operated on using CPB.

Preserved Windkessel function in patients following reduction aortoplasty of the ascending aorta.

Objective: Reduction ascending aortoplasty (RAA) is a controversial procedure. Agreement has not yet been made regarding the indication for surgery and surgical technique. The goal of this study was to examine the long-term outcome of RAA without external support, and to compare the accuracy of transthoracic echocardiographic with computed tomographic (CT) measurements.

Unsupported reduction ascending aortoplasty: fate of diameter and of Windkessel function.

Background: Moderate aneurysms of the ascending aorta that are associated with other cardiac diseases are frequently encountered by cardiac surgeons. Reduction ascending aortoplasty (RAA) provides an elegant technique to handle these aneurysms; however, its applicability is still under debate. Many surgeons reject RAA because of an assumed redilatation.

Administration of brain natriuretic peptide improves cardiac function following operations using extracorporeal circulation in an animal model.

The critical phase during cardiosurgical procedures is weaning the diseased heart from the ECC (extracorporeal circulation). Post-ischaemic heart failure sometimes requires the administration of inotropic and/or vasconstrictive agents. The natriuretic peptides influence pre- and after-load through their natriuretic, diuretic and vasodilating actions.

Aortic dissection mimicking subarachnoidal hemorrhage.

In this report we describe a comatose patient with proximal aortic dissection who presented with the signs of subarachnoidal hemorrhage. Shortly before losing consciousness, the patient complained of an excruciating headache. Upon initial examination, neck stiffness and opisthotonos were present.