Low-dose warfarin with a novel mechanical aortic valve: Interim registry results at 5-year follow-up.

Objectives: To evaluate whether warfarin targeted at an international normalized ratio of 1.8 (range, 1.5-2.

Consensus statement on the interhospital transfer of patients with acute aortic syndrome: TRAVERSING Delphi study.

Background: Standardisation of referral pathways and the transfer of patients with acute aortic syndromes (AAS) to regional centres are recommended by NHS England in the Acute Aortic Dissection Toolkit. The aim of the Transfer of Thoracic Aortic Vascular Emergencies to Regional Specialist INstitutes Group study was to establish an interdisciplinary consensus on the interhospital transfer of patients with AAS to specialist high-volume aortic centres.

Methods: Consensus on the key aspects of interhospital transfer of patients with AAS was established using the Delphi method, in line with Conducting and Reporting of Delphi Studies guidelines.

Intraoperative Open Aortoscopy-A New Emerging Technique in Hybrid Aortic Arch Surgery.

Intraoperative open aortoscopy is a new emerging technique in hybrid aortic arch surgery using hybrid open stent grafts for frozen elephant trunk operation. It is performed on a detumescent open aortic arch during the period of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. It aids in operative planning and choice of open stent graft and confirms proper deployment and distal seal prior to resumption of circulation.

Calcification of Gore-Tex Neochord After Mitral Repair: Electron Microscopy.

A 76-year-old woman presented with severe mitral valve regurgitation 6 years after mitral valve repair with Gore-Tex (expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, W.L. Gore & Associates Inc) neochords and ring annuloplasty.

Decade-long trends in surgery for acute Type A aortic dissection in England: A retrospective cohort study.

Background: Little is known about variations in care and outcomes of patients undergoing surgical repair for type A aortic dissection(TAAD). We aim to investigate decade-long trends in TAAD surgical repair in England.

Methods: Retrospective review of the National Adult Cardiac Surgery Audit, which prospectively collects demographic and peri‑operative information for all major adult cardiac surgery procedures performed in the UK.

European registry of type A aortic dissection (ERTAAD) - rationale, design and definition criteria.

Background: Acute Stanford type A aortic dissection (TAAD) is a life-threatening condition. Surgery is usually performed as a salvage procedure and is associated with significant postoperative early mortality and morbidity. Understanding the patient's conditions and treatment strategies which are associated with these adverse events is essential for an appropriate management of acute TAAD.

Is It Safe to Let Trainees Operate on High Risk Cardiac Surgery Cases?

Increasing complexity in cardiac operations has raised the discussion on trainee autonomy and the number of cases required to achieve competency. This study compares outcomes among cases done by trainees vs consultants for high risk patients. 696 (trainee=158 vs consultant=438) major high risk cardiac operations (Euroscore >10) were reviewed at a single center.

Neuroprotective strategies in acute aortic dissection: an analysis of the UK National Adult Cardiac Surgical Audit.

Objectives: The risk of brain injury following surgery for type A aortic dissection (TAAD) remains substantial and no consensus has still been reached on which neuroprotective technique should be preferred. We aimed to investigate the association between neuroprotective strategies and clinical outcomes following TAAD repair.

Methods: Using the UK National Adult Cardiac Surgical Audit, we identified 1929 patients undergoing surgery for TAAD (2011-2018).

Outcomes of patients with acute prosthetic aortic valve endocarditis.

Background: Prosthetic valve endocarditis is burdened by high mortality and morbidity. We reviewed our experience in the management of patients with acute prosthetic aortic valve infection and studied the implications and outcomes associated with surgical treatment and medical therapy.

Methods: Data of 118 consecutive patients admitted during the period 2008-2018 with definite acute prosthetic aortic valve endocarditis, and presenting a surgical indication, were retrieved from the hospital database.

Is Resident Training Safe in Cardiac Surgery?

Background: There exists a knowledge gap regarding the safety of training in cardiac surgery. The purpose of this analysis was to establish the safety of resident training in cardiac surgery and compare the results of the trainee cases to those performed by consultants.

Methods: In all, 5894 (trainee, 3343; consultant, 2551) major cardiac operations (European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation less than 10) from 2013 to 2018 were reviewed.

Age-related presentation of acute type A aortic dissection.

Background: We evaluated the clinical and anatomic presentations of acute type A aortic dissection according to patient age.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 235 consecutive patients who underwent acute type A dissection repair between January 2000 and December 2014. The influence of age on anatomical and clinical presentation, surgical management in the entire cohort and also after exclusion of patients with known connective tissue disorders was assessed using logistic regression.

Feasibility of a novel, synthetic, self-assembling peptide for suture-line haemostasis in cardiac surgery.

Backgroud: To assess the feasibility and efficacy of PuraStat®, a novel haemostatic agent, in achieving suture line haemostasis in a wide range of cardiac surgical procedures and surgery of the thoracic aorta.

Methods: A prospective, non-randomised study was conducted at our institution. Operative data on fifty consecutive patients undergoing cardiac surgery where PuraStat® was utilised in cases of intraoperative suture line bleeding was prospectively collected.

Mitral valve replacement in severely calcified mitral valve annulus: a 10-year experience.

Objectives: Severe calcification in the mitral valve annulus is a challenging problem during mitral valve surgery. We describe our experience with mitral valve replacement in severely calcified mitral valve without decalcification of the annulus.

Methods: Between April 2001 and July 2011, 61 patients underwent mitral valve replacement with severe mitral annulus calcification without decalcification of the annulus.

Recurrent constrictive pericarditis associated with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis: A case report.

Introduction: Constrictive pericarditis is an uncommon disease characterized by impaired diastolic filling of the ventricles, encased in a fibrotic pericardium resulting from an inflammatory process. Rheumatoid arthritis is a rare cause of constrictive pericarditis, usually due to a concomitant acute or chronic serositis.

Presentation Of Case: This paper presents a unique case of recurrent constrictive pericarditis associated with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis, requiring pericardiectomy and complicated three years later by recurrent fibrosis, demanding a second pericardiectomy.

Open and closed distal anastomosis for acute type A aortic dissection repair.

Objectives: The current consensus favours an open distal anastomosis for aortic dissection repair. A small number of experiences have compared early and long-term outcomes between closed and open distal anastomosis in the setting of acute aortic dissection.

Methods: We reviewed our experience in 204 patients who underwent repair of spontaneous acute type A aortic dissection between January 2000 and December 2013.

Acute type A aortic dissection repair in elderly patients.

Objectives: We evaluated our experience in acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) repair in elderly patients. The role of clinical presentation and surgical strategies in determining patients' outcome was further assessed.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients over 75 years who underwent emergency repair of ATAAD at our institution during 2000-13 was performed.

Early in-vivo hemodynamic comparison of supra-annular aortic bioprostheses: Trifecta versus Perimount Magna Ease.

Background And Aim Of The Study: The study aim was to compare early postoperative hemodynamic gradients after supra-annular implantation of the Trifecta and Perimount Magna Ease aortic bioprostheses.

Methods: Between January 2010 and December 2011, a total of 235 patients (105 males, 130 females; mean age at surgery 73.8 +/- 10.