Timing, positioning and ancillary therapies: the triad for successful Impella RP.

Clear clinical guidelines for the assessment and treatment of right ventricular failure (RVF) remain an unmet need. Although high complexity patients are common in this setting, the ideal management remains uncertain, resulting in high mortality rates despite presumably optimal medical therapy. Timely treatment with Impella RP may offer benefits by supplying circulatory support during the acute RVF phase and providing the time and unloading necessary for native right heart recovery.

Direct proximal right subclavian artery cannulation during surgery of the thoracic aorta.

Objective: To evaluate outcomes of single sternum access for right subclavian artery cannulation without infraclavicular incision in surgery of the thoracic aorta.

Methods: Between January 2015 and December 2019, 44 consecutive patients underwent surgery of the thoracic aorta with cannulation of the right subclavian artery, after sternotomy and before pericardiotomy, through a direct percutaneous cannula with a single access without additional infraclavicular skin incision. The indication for surgery was type A acute aortic dissection in 29 patients (65.

Right subclavian artery cannulation for aortic dissection surgery, without infraclavicular incision.

The choice of arterial cannulation strategy for acute type A dissection surgery remains a controversial  issue and a subject of great debate because of its impact on clinical outcomes. A review of retrospective studies shows that surgeons are tending to switch from a retrograde to an antegrade perfusion strategy. Innominate artery cannulation has a number of advantages when compared to other cannulation techniques; however when the vessel is dissected, the proximal right subclavian artery can be used for arterial return.

Hospital Volume and Outcome after Bilateral Internal Mammary Artery Grafting.

Background: Bilateral internal mammary artery (BIMA) grafting largely is underutilized in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), partly because of the perceived increased complexity of the procedure.

Aims: In this study, we evaluated whether BIMA grafting can safely be performed also in centers, where this revascularization strategy infrequently is adopted.

Methods: Out of 6,783 patients from the prospective multicenter E-CABG study, who underwent isolated non- emergent CABG from January 2015 to December 2016, 2,457 underwent BIMA grafting and their outcome was evaluated in this analysis.

Early Aspirin Nonresponders Identification by Routine Use of Aggregometry Test in Patients With Left Ventricle Assist Devices Reduces the Risk of Pump Thrombosis.

Unlabelled: Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) management is very challenging since many adverse events can occur in ongoing patients. Inadequate anticoagulation treatment can lead to life-threatening situations like ischemic stroke or pump thrombosis. The main intention of our study was to investigate if early identification of aspirin nonresponders by using aggregometry can improve anticoagulation management, reducing the risk of pump thrombosis.

Epiaortic Ultrasound to Prevent Stroke in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

Background: Epiaortic ultrasonography (EAU) is a valid imaging method to detect atherosclerotic changes of the ascending aorta and to guide surgical strategies for the prevention of cerebral embolism in patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). However, its use is not widespread.

Methods: The impact of EAU on the outcome after isolated CABG was investigated in patients from the European Multicenter Study on Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (E-CABG) registry.

Surgical treatment of isolated tricuspid valve infective endocarditis: 25-year results from a multicenter registry.

Background: To assess early and late mortality in patients with isolated acute tricuspid valve infective endocarditis (TVIE) using data from a multicenter registry.

Methods: From 1983 to 2018, isolated acute TVIE was surgically treated in 157 (3.8%) patients [mean age 47 ± 16 years (range 15-86 years), 25% females].

Bleeding in Patients Treated With Ticagrelor or Clopidogrel Before Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

Background: We evaluated perioperative bleeding after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients preoperatively treated with ticagrelor or clopidogrel, stratified by discontinuation of these P2Y inhibitors.

Methods: All patients from the prospective, European Multicenter Registry on Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (E-CABG) treated with ticagrelor or clopidogrel undergoing isolated primary CABG were eligible. The primary outcome measure was severe or massive bleeding defined according to the Universal Definition of Perioperative Bleeding, stratified by P2Y inhibitor discontinuation.

Comparative Analysis of Prothrombin Complex Concentrate and Fresh Frozen Plasma in Coronary Surgery.

Background: Recent studies suggested that prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) might be more effective than fresh frozen plasma (FFP) to reduce red blood cell (RBC) transfusion requirement after cardiac surgery.

Methods: This is a comparative analysis of 416 patients who received FFP postoperatively and 119 patients who received PCC with or without FFP after isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Results: Mixed-effects regression analyses adjusted for multiple covariates and participating centres showed that PCC significantly decreased RBC transfusion (67.

Pump Speed Optimization in Patients Implanted With the HeartMate 3 Device.

Background: Pump speed optimization in patients implanted with a ventricular assist device represents a major challenge during the follow-up period. We present our findings on whether combined invasive hemodynamic ramp tests and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX) can help optimize patient management.

Methods: Eighteen patients implanted with a HeartMate 3 (HM3) device underwent ramp tests with right heart catheterization (including central venous pressure [CVP], pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure [PCWP], and blood pressure) and echocardiography.

Pulse Oximeter Usefulness for Blood Pressure Monitoring in Patients Implanted With Latest-Generation Continuous-Flow Device HeartMate 3.

Introduction: The measurement of blood pressure (BP) and the management of hypertension in patients with continuous-flow ventricular assist devices (CF-VADs) can present unique challenges. Patients with CF-VADs often do not have a palpable pulse, and therefore traditional blood pressure measurement by auscultation or automated cuff is less reliable. We tested the efficacy of blood pressure estimation using sphygmomanometry combined with finger pulse oximetry only after a hemodynamic optimization was effected to make the values estimated approximately similar to mean arterial pressure.

Prognostic Impact of Multiple Prior Percutaneous Coronary Interventions in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

Background Multiple percutaneous coronary interventions ( PCIs ) are considered determinant of poor outcome in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting ( CABG ), but scarce data exist to substantiate this. Methods and Results Patients who underwent CABG without history of prior PCI or with PCI performed >30 days before surgery were selected for the present analysis from the prospective, multicenter E-CABG (European Multicenter Study on Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting) registry. Out of 6563 patients with data on preoperative SYNTAX (Synergy between PCI With Taxus and Cardiac Surgery) score, 1181 patients (18.

Prognostic Impact of Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic impact of untreated asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis (CS) in patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Methods: This was a post hoc analysis of data from a prospective multicentre observational study. Patients without history of stroke or transient ischaemic attack from the multicentre E-CABG registry who were screened for CS before isolated CABG were included.

Variation in preoperative antithrombotic strategy, severe bleeding, and use of blood products in coronary artery bypass grafting: results from the multicentre E-CABG registry.

Aims: No data exists on inter-institutional differences in terms of adherence to international guidelines regarding the discontinuation of antithrombotics and rates of severe bleeding in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Methods And Results: This is an analysis of 7118 patients from the prospective multicentre European CABG (E-CABG) registry who underwent isolated CABG in 15 European centres. Preoperative pause of P2Y12 receptor antagonists shorter than that suggested by the 2017 ESC guidelines (overall 11.

Clinical frailty scale and outcome after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of frailty on the outcome after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and whether it may improve the predictive ability of European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE II).

Methods: The Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) was assessed preoperatively in patients undergoing isolated CABG from the multicentre E-CABG registry, and patients were stratified into 3 classes: scores 1-2, scores 3-4 and scores 5-7.

Results: Of the 6156 patients enrolled, 39.

Gender differences in outcomes after aortic aneurysm surgery should foster further research to improve screening and prevention programmes.

Background Gender-related biases in outcomes after thoracic aortic surgery are an important factor to consider in the prevention of potential complications related to aortic diseases and in the analysis of surgical results. Methods The aim of this study is to provide an up-to-date review of gender-related differences in the epidemiology, specific risk factors, outcome, and screening and prevention programmes in aortic aneurysms. Results Female patients affected by aortic disease still have worse outcomes and higher early and late mortality than men.

Aortic centres should represent the standard of care for acute aortic syndrome.

Background Existing evidence suggests that patients affected by acute aortic syndromes (AAS) may benefit from treatment at dedicated specialized aortic centres. The purpose of the present study was to perform a meta-analysis to evaluate the impact aortic service configuration has in clinical outcomes in AAS patients. Methods The design was a quantitative and qualitative review of observational studies.

Impact of preoperative thrombocytopenia on the outcome after coronary artery bypass grafting.

The impact of thrombocytopenia on postoperative bleeding and other major adverse events after cardiac surgery is unclear. This issue was investigated in a series of patients who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) from the prospective, multicenter E-CABG registry. Preoperative thrombocytopenia was defined as preoperative platelet count <150 × 10/L and it was considered moderate-severe when preoperative platelet count was <100 × 10/L.

Utility of glycated hemoglobin screening in patients undergoing elective coronary artery surgery: Prospective, cohort study from the E-CABG registry.

Background: Patients with increased glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) seem to be at increased risk of sternal wound infection (SWI) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). However, it is unclear whether increased baseline HbA1c levels may affect other postoperative outcomes.

Material And Methods: Data on preoperative levels of HbA1c were collected from 2606 patients undergoing elective isolated CABG from 2015 to 2016 and included in the prospective, multicenter E-CABG registry.

Prior Percutaneous Coronary Intervention and Mortality in Patients Undergoing Surgical Myocardial Revascularization: Results From the E-CABG (European Multicenter Study on Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting) With a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: The clinical impact of prior percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients requiring coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) remains unsettled. We sought to determine whether prior PCI is associated with adverse outcome after CABG.

Methods And Results: Data from the prospective E-CABG (European Multicenter Study on Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting) conducted between January 2015 and March 2016 at 16 European centres were analyzed using propensity weighted methodology to adjust for confounding.

Outcomes comparison of different surgical strategies for the management of severe aortic valve stenosis: study protocol of a prospective multicentre European registry (E-AVR registry).

Introduction: Traditional and transcatheter surgical treatments of severe aortic valve stenosis (SAVS) are increasing in parallel with the improved life expectancy. Recent randomised controlled trials (RCTs) reported comparable or non-inferior mortality with transcatheter treatments compared with traditional surgery. However, RCTs have the limitation of being a mirror of the predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria, without reflecting the 'real clinical world'.

Early Outcome of Bilateral Versus Single Internal Mammary Artery Grafting in the Elderly.

Background: Bilateral internal mammary artery (BIMA) grafting is increasingly used in elderly patients without evidence of its risks or benefits compared with single internal mammary artery (SIMA) grafting.

Methods: In all, 2,899 patients aged 70 years or older (855 [29.5%] underwent BIMA grafting) operated on from January 2015 to December 2016 and included in the prospective multicenter Outcome After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (E-CABG) study were considered in this analysis.