Is Surgical Intervention the Optimal Therapy for the Treatment of Aortic Valve Stenosis for Patients With Intermediate Society of Thoracic Surgeons Risk Score?

Background: Patients at intermediate risk (IR) according to The Society of Thoracic Surgeons risk score are today frequently oriented toward the transfemoral aortic valve replacement (TAVR) option. Our goal was to evaluate the best treatment strategies for IR patients with severe aortic stenosis.

Methods: Of a consecutive series of 1,144 surgical aortic valve replacements (AVRs) performed in our institution between 2008 and 2014, we reviewed the early and late outcomes of two different groups: a low-risk (LR) group of 470 patients, and an IR group of 620.

Epicardial ultrasonic ablation of atrial fibrillation during concomitant cardiac surgery is a valid option in patients with ischemic heart disease.

Background: Surgical therapy of atrial fibrillation concomitant to coronary bypass grafting using epicardial Ultrasound technology was assessed after a minimum 6-month follow-up.

Methods And Results: A cohort of 98 consecutive patients with a mean age of 72+/-7.58 years and a primary diagnosis of ischemic heart disease had surgery for structural disease.

Surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation with off-pump, epicardial, high-intensity focused ultrasound: results of a multicenter trial.

Background: A simplified alternative to the Cox maze procedure to treat atrial fibrillation with epicardial high-intensity focused ultrasound was evaluated clinically, and the initial clinical results were assessed at the 6-month follow-up visit.

Methods: From September 2002 through February 2004, 103 patients were prospectively enrolled in a multicenter study. Atrial fibrillation duration ranged from 6 to 240 months (mean, 44 months) and was permanent in 76 (74%) patients, paroxysmal in 22 (21%) patients, and persistent in 5 (5%) patients.