Long-Term Performance of Epicardial versus Transvenous Left Ventricular Leads for Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy.

: to study the technical performance of epicardial left ventricular (LV) leads placed via video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), compared to transvenously placed leads for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). : From 2001 until 2013, a total of 644 lead placement procedures were performed for CRT. In the case of unsuccessful transvenous LV lead placement, the patient received an epicardial LV lead.

Surgical clip closure of the left atrial appendage.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common atrial arrhythmia, but it is not a benign disease. AF is an important risk factor for thromboembolic events, causing significant morbidity and mortality. The left atrial appendage (LAA) plays an important role in thrombus formation, but the ideal management of the LAA remains a topic of debate.

Obesity is associated with impaired long-term success of pulmonary vein isolation: a plea for risk factor management before ablation.

Aims: Obesity is an increasing health problem and is an important risk factor for the development of atrial fibrillation (AF). We investigated the association of body mass index (BMI) on the safety and long-term efficacy of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for drug-refractory AF.

Methods: 414 consecutive patients who underwent transcatheter PVI for AF between 2003 and 2013 were included.

Impact of Thoracoscopic Pulmonary Vein Isolation on Right Ventricular Function: A Pilot Study.

Objective: Thoracoscopic surgical pulmonary vein isolation (sPVI) has been added to the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF), showing excellent efficacy outcomes. However, data on right ventricular (RV) function following sPVI has never been studied. Our aim was to investigate RV function following sPVI and compare it to patients who underwent endocardial cryoballoon PVI.

Atrial remodelling and function: implications for atrial fibrillation surgery.

The exact mechanism of atrial fibrillation (AF) is still incompletely understood. A number of alterations that impact focal electrical discharge, the atrial substrate and modulating factors contribute to its pathogenesis. Atrial remodelling (resulting in atrial cardiomyopathy) sets the stage for AF development.

Catching a floating thrombus; a case report on the treatment of a large thrombus in the ascending aorta.

Background: The ascending aorta is an uncommon site for non-infective thrombus. In non-aneurysmal and non-atherosclerotic vessels this condition becomes extremely rare, while it represents a source of potential cerebral and peripheral embolic events. Currently, there is no consensus in the guidelines on how to treat a free floating thrombus in ascending aorta, therefore we present our decision making process and therapeutic strategy.

Surgical Left Atrial Appendage Exclusion Does Not Impair Left Atrial Contraction Function: A Pilot Study.

Background: In order to reduce stroke risk, left atrial appendage amputation (LAAA) is widely adopted in recent years. The effect of LAAA on left atrial (LA) function remains unknown. The objective of present study was to assess the effect of LAAA on LA function.

Long-term results of surgical minimally invasive pulmonary vein isolation for paroxysmal lone atrial fibrillation.

Aims: Transcatheter pulmonary vein ablation is the current treatment of choice for symptomatic drug-refractory atrial fibrillation (AF). Video-assisted surgical pulmonary vein isolation (sPVI) is an alternative therapy to percutaneous ablation for the treatment of AF. Long-term results of sPVI are currently unknown.

The classic elephant trunk technique for staged thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic repair: long-term results.

Objective: The classic elephant trunk (ET) technique has become the standard approach for patients with diffuse aortic disease requiring a staged thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic repair. The aim of this study was to assess long-term outcomes and predictors for survival after surgical repair of extensive thoracic aortic disease with the ET technique.

Methods: Between 1984 and 2013, 248 consecutive patients were treated in our institution and analyzed retrospectively.

A new beating-heart off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting training model.

Objectives: Training models are essential in mastering the skills required for off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB). We describe a new, high-fidelity, effective and reproducible beating-heart OPCAB training model in human cadavers.

Methods: Human cadavers were embalmed according to the 'Thiel method' which allows their long-term and repeated use.

Surgical minimally invasive pulmonary vein isolation for lone atrial fibrillation: midterm results of a multicenter study.

Objective: Minimally invasive surgical pulmonary vein isolation (SMI-PVI) is an emerging therapy for the treatment of symptomatic drug-refractory atrial fibrillation (AF). Nevertheless, the midterm and long-term results of SMI-PVI remain unknown. The aim of this retrospective multicenter study was to report on midterm efficacy and safety of SMI-PVI.

Severe thrombocytopenia and its clinical impact after implant of the stentless Freedom Solo bioprosthesis.

Background: This single-center study analyzed the occurrence of severe thrombocytopenia and its clinical effect after concomitant and isolated aortic valve replacement (AVR) with the stentless Freedom Solo (FS) prosthetic valve (Sorin Group, Saluggia, Italy).

Methods: Between October 2009 and February 2012, 151 consecutive patients underwent AVR with a FS, either isolated (lone-FS group) or concomitant with another procedure (all-FS group). These groups were compared with 152 consecutive patients implanted with a stented Edwards Lifesciences Perimount (EP) bioprosthesis (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA).

Surgical vs. transcatheter pulmonary vein isolation as first invasive treatment in patients with atrial fibrillation: a matched group comparison.

Aims: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) can be considered for treatment of symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF). Nowadays, in addition to transcatheter ablation, thoracoscopic surgical PVI is available. The aim of this study is to compare clinical outcome of surgical with transcatheter PVI as first invasive treatment strategy of AF.

Cardiac dynamic magnetic resonance of a giant lung carcinoma invading the left atrium: do not let the imaging fool you.

This study aimed to report on a non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) originating from the right lung lower lobe and circulatory extension into the left atrium. Atrial involvement is an uncommon feature of advanced NSCLC, occurring in up to 10% of patients with bronchogenic carcinoma. In this case, the neoplastic mass was enormous and diagnosed as a lung pleiomorph carcinoma, staged T4N2M0 and so far considered irresectable.