Feasibility, Accuracy, and Reproducibility of Aortic Valve Sizing for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation Using Virtual Reality.

Background: Detailed visualization and precise measurements of aortic valve dimensions are critical for the success of transcatheter aortic valve implantation and for the prevention of complications. Currently, multislice computed tomography is the gold standard for assessment of the aortic annulus and surrounding structures to determine the prosthesis size. New technologies such as virtual reality (VR) not only enable 3-dimensional (3D) visualization with the potential to improve understanding of anatomy and pathology but also allow measurements in 3D.

The Role of Spatial Aortic Arch Architecture in Type B Aortic Dissection.

Objective: The incidence of type B aortic dissection (TBAD) is increasing worldwide; however, the underlying pathomechanisms are not conclusively understood. This study explores the geometric architecture of the aortic arch and supra-aortic branches in TBAD patients as opposed to non-TBAD patients.

Methods: Patient characteristics were retrieved from archived medical records.

Features and risk factors of early intraluminal thrombus formation within the frozen elephant trunk stent graft.

Objective: The frozen elephant trunk is a standard treatment method for aortic arch pathologies extending into the descending aorta. We previously described the phenomenon of early postoperative intraluminal thrombosis within the frozen elephant trunk. We investigated the features and predictors of intraluminal thrombosis.

Minimal invasive temporary percutaneous right ventricular circulatory support after left ventricular assist device implantation.

Objectives: Cardiogenic shock is a life-threatening situation with high mortality rates. Mechanical unloading of the left ventricle may be achieved via left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. Postoperative right ventricular (RV) failure, however, has very limited therapeutic options and is associated with increased postoperative mortality.

Coronary artery bypass grafts to chronic occluded right coronary arteries.

Background: The benefit of revascularizing chronically occluded coronary arteries remains debatable, and available long-term outcome reports are sparse. Current guidelines recommend revascularization of chronically occluded arteries only in patients with myocardial ischemia and/or symptoms associated with angina. We investigated outcome of patients with total chronic occlusion of the right coronary artery (RCA) receiving coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery with and without revascularization of the RCA.

ECLS supported transport of ICU patients: does out-of -house implantation impact survival?

Background: Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) is an established tool to stabilize severely ill patients with therapy-refractory hemodynamic or respiratory failure. Recently, we established a mobile ECLS retrieval service at our institution. However, data on the outcome of patients receiving ECLS at outside hospitals for transportation into tertiary hospitals is still sparse.

Cardiac Phlegmon: Infectious Endocarditis Causing Ventricular Wall Rupture.

 Rupture of the cardiac ventricular wall is a rare and essentially lethal complication of infectious endocarditis valvularis.  We report a case of a 49-year-old female patient with infectious endocarditis of the aortic valve. Following aortic valve replacement, the patient developed a sudden free left ventricular wall rupture.

Echocardiographic guided, transatrial closure of a patent foramen ovale.

Background: The management of an incidental patent foramen ovale found during planned cardiac surgery remains a challenge, and current guidelines are not helpful. Although evidence is accumulating, that closure of an incidental found patent foramen ovale might be beneficial, especially in planned off-pump procedures, the diagnosis of a formerly unknown patent foramen ovale with the patient on the operation table has vast consequences by making it necessary to switch to on pump, bi-caval cannulation for patent foramen ovale closure. We therefore developed a technique for transatrial closure of a patent foramen ovale, guided by transesophageal echocardiography.

Tracheal Transection-A Novel Airway Management.

 Traumatic injury of the trachea is rare, especially complete transection. Its operative revision requires an interdisciplinary approach.  We hereby present a rare case of complete transection of the trachea by accident.

Train early and with deliberate practice: simple coronary surgery simulation platform results in fast increase in technical surgical skills in residents and students.

Objectives: The amount of intense and focused training with the specific goal to improve performance (i.e. deliberate practice) is a predictor of expert-level performance in multiple domains of psychomotor skill learning.

Total Arterial Revascularization with Radial Artery and Internal Thoracic Artery T-Grafts Is Associated with Superior Long-Term Survival in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

Aims: Compelling evidence encourages the use of the radial artery (RA) as the second arterial graft in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). However, its long-term benefits remain disputed. We sought to evaluate long-term outcome and survival by comparing patients receiving RAs with those receiving venous grafts to a single internal thoracic artery (ITA).

Early surgical myocardial revascularization in non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome.

Background: In non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) there is no consensus regarding optimal time point for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Recent findings suggest that long-term outcomes are improved in early-revascularized NSTEMI patients. However, it has been stated that early surgery is associated to increased operative risk.

Long-Term Results of Bilateral Lung Transplantation in Patients With End-Stage Pulmonary Lymphangioleiomyomatosis.

Introduction: Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare disease in women, leading to progressive deterioration of lung function and respiratory failure. We describe the outcome of patients with end-stage LAM who underwent lung transplantation at our center.

Materials And Methods: The records of patients with LAM transplanted at our institution between February 1997 and May 2015 were reviewed retrospectively.

Risk factors for critical limb ischemia in patients undergoing femoral cannulation for venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: Is distal limb perfusion a mandatory approach?

Background: Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support is a well-established tool in the care of severe refractory cardiac and respiratory failure. The application of this support may serve as a bridge to transplant, recovery or to implantation of a ventricular assist device. Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support can be administered through an open surgical access via the common femoral or axillary artery or a percutaneous approach using Seldinger technique.

Minimally Invasive Surgery in Mitral Valve Endocarditis.

Background:  To minimize the surgical damage, minimally invasive mitral valve surgery (MIMVS) has become the therapy of choice. However, this approach is technically more challenging, especially in endocarditis. The data on MIMVS in endocarditis are scarce, we therefore retrospectively analyzed the result at our institute.

Valve-sparing aortic root replacement (David I procedure) in Marfan disease: single-centre 20-year experience in more than 100 patients†.

Objectives: Valve-sparing aortic root replacement (VSARR) is recommended for patients with aortic root dilatation and preserved aortic valve cusp morphology. The durability of VSARR in Marfan patients has been questioned. The aim of our study was to establish the long-term outcomes of VSARR in Marfan patients.

Reduction of driveline infections through doubled driveline tunneling of left ventricular assist devices-5-year follow-up.

Background: Driveline infection (DLI) is one of the leading causes for unplanned re-admissions of patients undergoing therapy with left ventricular assist devices (LVAD). In previous studies our group was able to show that a double tunneling implantation technique could significantly reduce infection rates one year after implantation. We now report the results of the five-year-follow up of patients receiving the double tunneling technique.

Rupture of the Free Left Ventricular Wall: A Novel Approach for Reconstruction.

 A rupture of the free wall of the left ventricle is a rarely seen complication of myocardial infarction and represents an absolute cardiac emergency.  We hereby present a case of a 64-year-old patient with a rupture of the free left ventricular wall. The patient was treated in an emergent operation with a novel reconstruction method of the left ventricular wall and was discharged 30 days after the initial operation.

The liver-first approach for combined lung and liver transplantation.

Objectives: Combined lung and liver transplantation (Lu-LTx) is an established therapy for patients with cystic fibrosis. The initial sequence has primarily been lung first. We changed the sequence to 'liver first' in 2006.

Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Surgery in Re-Do Cases-The New Standard Procedure?

Background: Minimally invasive mitral valve surgery (MIMVS) is superior to "classical" mitral valve surgery via a sternotomy regarding wound healing and postoperative pain. It is however a more challenging procedure. Patients' preference is leading clearly toward minimally invasive approaches, and surgeons are driven by upcoming new technologies in interventional procedures such as the MitraClip.

Erratum: Rupture of the Free Left Ventricular Wall: A Novel Approach for Reconstruction.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1642613.].

Elective David I Procedure Has Excellent Long-Term Results: 20-Year Single-Center Experience.

Background: We present our results after elective, isolated David I procedures over the past 20 years.

Methods: Between 1993 and 2015, 197 patients (mean age 46 ± 17 years, 73% men) underwent isolated aortic valve reimplantation using straight tube grafts (David I procedure). Sixty patients (31%) had Marfan syndrome, and 24 (12%) had a bicuspid aortic valve.