Major Adverse Cardiac and Cerebrovascular Events in Patients Undergoing Simultaneous Heart Surgery and Carotid Endarterectomy.

Background: Patients with simultaneous relevant internal carotid artery stenosis and coronary artery heart or valve disease represent a high-risk collective with respect to cerebral or cardiovascular severe events when undergoing surgery. There exist several concepts regarding the timing and modality of carotid revascularization, which are controversially discussed in patients with heart disease. More data regarding outcome predictors and measures are needed to gain a better understanding of the best treatment option of the discussed patient collective.

Aortic Paraganglioma Masking as Intramural Hematoma: When You Hear Hoofbeats Think Zebras, Not Horses.

A 52-year-old woman presented dyspnea and angina. The computed tomography scan indicated an intramural hematoma, and the patient underwent surgery, during which a structure was excised that was identified as aortic paraganglioma. This case report underlines the importance of a multiprofessional interdisciplinary team to diagnose and treat cardiac masses.

Benign and malignant cardiac masses: long-term outcomes after surgical resection.

Introduction: Cardiac tumors represent a rare and heterogenous pathologic entity, with a cumulative incidence of up to 0.02%. This study aimed to investigate one of the largest patient cohorts published for clinical presentation and long-term outcomes after surgical resection.

"A Stab in the Heart" Caused by a Cement Fragment After Kyphoplasty.

Kyphoplasty is a well-established method to treat symptomatic vertebral compression fractures. Reported local cement leakage rates are high, but clinically relevant leakages are rare. A fatal complication is the extravasation of cement to the venous system with cardiopulmonary manifestation.

Mitral valve surgery after failed MitraClip-Operation for the inoperable?

Background: Percutaneous edge-to-edge mitral valve repair technique (MitraClip) is a widely used treatment for mitral regurgitation (MR) in patients assessed with high surgical risk or inoperability. Only limited experiences with this highest-risk patient population exist. Procedural failure for MitraClip or recurrent MR is a strong predictor of 1-year mortality.

Heart surgery and simultaneous carotid endarterectomy - 10-years single-center experience.

Background: Patients with coronary artery heart disease frequently suffer concomitant carotid vascular disease and are at high perioperative risk for neurological adverse events. Several concepts regarding the timing and modality of carotid revascularization are controversially discussed in patients with heart disease. Current guidelines recommendations on myocardial revascularization recommend a concomitant carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in patients with a history of stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA) or 50-99% grade of the carotid stenosis.

Cardiac tumors-sex-related characteristics and outcomes after surgical resection.

Objectives: Cardiac tumors represent a rare and heterogeneous pathological entity, with a cumulative incidence of up to 0.02%. Gender was previously reported to influence outcomes after tumor surgery.

Impact of postoperative acute kidney injury on short-term outcomes of patients with Bentall surgery for any reason.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) after cardiac surgery is a well-known risk factor for increased postoperative mortality and morbidity. The effect of postoperative developed AKI on postoperative outcomes in patients after Bentall procedure has been incompletely investigated. The present study was dedicated to assessing the impact of postoperative AKI on morbidity and 30-day mortality in this specific cohort.

Predictors of acute kidney injury in patients after extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Objectives: Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (eCPR) is increasingly used due to its beneficial outcomes and results compared with conventional CPR. Data after eCPR for acute kidney injury (AKI) are lacking. We sought to investigate factors predicting AKI in patients who underwent eCPR.

Clinical results and 30-day outcomes of self-expanding transcatheter aortic valves: comparative case-matched analysis of CoreValve versus ACURATE neo™.

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is associated with excellent results in patients with severe aortic stenosis. In highly calcified aortic anuli with increased risk of annulus rupture and in favor of the supra-annular design, self-expandable prostheses are frequently used. In this regard, we aimed to perform a comparative analysis of clinical and 30-day outcomes after TAVR using the self-expanding CoreValve Evolut R or ACURATE neo™ prosthesis.

Concomitant ECMO And IABP Support in Postcardiotomy Cardiogenic Shock Patients.

Objectives: Simultaneous mechanical circulatory support (MCS) with intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is common in postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock (PCS). This study aimed to analyse the effect of concomitant ECMO and IABP therapy on the short-term outcomes of patients with PCS.

Methods: Between March 2006 and March 2017, 172 consecutive patients with central (c) or peripheral (p) veno-arterial ECMO therapy due to PCS were identified at the current institution and included in this retrospective analysis.

Impact of Lactate Clearance on Early Outcomes in Pediatric ECMO Patients.

Pediatric extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support is often the ultimate therapy for neonatal and pediatric patients with congenital heart defects after cardiac surgery. The impact of lactate clearance in pediatric patients during ECMO therapy on outcomes has been analyzed. Materials We retrospectively analyzed data from 41 pediatric vaECMO patients between January 2006 and December 2016.

Gender-related propensity score match analysis of ECMO therapy in postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock in patients after myocardial revascularization.

Background: Gender is known to influence the pathophysiology and pathogenesis of the coronary vascular disease. Data on gender-related differences in patients with veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation due to postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock is lacking in current literature. We aimed to analyze the impact of gender on intraoperative and short-term outcomes of vaECMO patients after coronary surgery and postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock.

Evaluation of the GERAADA score for prediction of 30-day mortality in patients with acute type A aortic dissection.

Objectives: The German Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection Type A (GERAADA) score to predict 30-day mortality in patients suffering from acute aortic dissection type A (AADA) was recently introduced. The aim of this study was to evaluate if the GERAADA score's prediction corresponds with the authors' institutional results.

Methods: All consecutive AADA patients between 2010 and 2020 were included.

Giant transit thrombus-From right to left.

Pulmonary embolism can be associated with paradox embolism requiring immediate surgical therapy regardless of hemodynamic status. Here we present images illustrating a giant transit thrombus as a concomitant finding in a patient with pulmonary artery embolism.

Central vs peripheral venoarterial ECMO in postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock.

Objectives: Central or peripheral venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (va ECMO) is widely used in postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock (PCS). Available data suggest controversial results for both types. Our aim was to investigate PCS patients treated with either peripheral (pECMO) or central ECMO (cECMO) concerning their outcome.

Multiple emboli caused by ascending aorta thrombus-Surgical approach.

Embolizing aortic thrombus can be associated with severe complications. Here, we present images showing a rare presentation of an ascending aorta thrombus.

Single center experience with patients on veno arterial ECMO due to postcardiotomy right ventricular failure.

Objectives: Right ventricular (RV) failure is associated with poor outcome and increased mortality in cardiac surgery. Aim of our study was to analyze the outcome of veno arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (va ECMO) therapy in patients with isolated RV failure in postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock (PCS) and to evaluate risk factors associated with 30-day-mortality.

Methods: Between August 2006 until August 2016, 64 consecutive patients with va ECMO therapy due to fulminant RV failure in PCS were identified and included in this retrospective observation.

Factors predictive for early and late mortality after surgical repair for Stanford A acute aortic dissection.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate independent risk factors predictive for mortality of patients with Stanford A acute aortic dissection.

Methods: From January 2006 to March 2015, a total of 240 consecutive patients diagnosed with acute Stanford A acute aortic dissection underwent surgical aortic repair in our center. After analysis of pre- and perioperative variables, univariate logistic and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed for mortality of patients.

Impact of ascending aortic, hemiarch and arch repair on early and long-term outcomes in patients with Stanford A acute aortic dissection.

Background:: Stanford A acute aortic dissection (AAD) is a life-threatening emergency associated with major morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to compare outcomes of three different surgical approaches in patients with Stanford A AAD.

Methods:: From January 2006 to March 2015 a total of 240 consecutive patients with diagnosed Stanford A AAD underwent elective, isolated surgical aortic repair in our centre.

Impact of preoperative elevated serum creatinine on long-term outcome of patients undergoing aortic repair with Stanford A dissection: a retrospective matched pair analysis.

Background: The aim of the present study was to determine whether raised preoperative serum creatinine affected the long-term outcome in patients undergoing surgical aortic repair for Stanford A acute aortic dissection (AAD).

Methods: A total of 240 patients diagnosed with Stanford A AAD underwent surgical repair from January 2006 to April 2015. A propensity score matching was applied, resulting in 73 pairs consisting of one group with normal and one group with preoperative elevated creatinine levels.

Impact of age on early outcomes and long-term survival of patients undergoing aortic repair with Stanford A dissection.

Objectives: Stanford A acute aortic dissection (AAD) is a life-threatening emergency, typically occurring in older patients and requiring immediate surgical repair. The aim of this study was to evaluate early outcome and short- and long-term survival of patients under and above 65 years of age.

Methods: Two hundred and forty patients with Stanford A AAD underwent aortic surgical repair from January 2006 to April 2015 in our center.

Impact of Different Aortic Entry Tear Sites on Early Outcomes and Long-Term Survival in Patients with Stanford A Acute Aortic Dissection.

Background:  Stanford A acute aortic dissection (AAD) is a life-threatening emergency. The aim of this study was to compare the impact of three different aortic entry tear sites on early outcomes and long-term survival of patients with Stanford A AAD.

Methods:  From January 2006 to April 2015, a total of 240 consecutive patients with diagnosed Stanford A AAD underwent emergent, isolated surgical aortic repair in our center.

Impact of hypertension on early outcomes and long-term survival of patients undergoing aortic repair with Stanford A dissection.

Introduction: Stanford A acute aortic dissection (AAD) is a life-threatening emergency, typically occurring in hypertensive patients, requiring immediate surgical repair. The aim of this study was to evaluate early outcomes and long-term survival of hypertensive patients in comparison to normotensive patients suffering from Stanford A AAD.

Methods: In our center, 240 patients with Stanford A AAD underwent aortic surgical repair from January 2006 to April 2015.

Managing Traps and Pitfalls During Initial Steps of an ECMO Retrieval Program Using a Miniaturized Portable System: What Have We Learned From the First Two Years?

The aim of this study was to provide early and mid-term results of the newly established extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) retrieval service in a tertiary cardiothoracic center using the miniaturized portable Cardiohelp System (Maquet, Rastatt, Germany). A particular attention was paid to organizational and logistic specifics as well as challenges and pitfalls associated with initial phase of the program. From January 2015 until January 2017 a heterogenic group of 28 consecutive patients underwent ECMO implantation in distant hospitals for acute cardiac, pulmonary or combined failure as a bridge-to-decision and were subsequently transported to our institution.