Editor's Choice - Aortic Re-operation After Replacement of the Proximal Aorta: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective/background: The aim was to estimate risk of aortic re-operation, and re-operative morbidity and mortality, following replacement of the proximal aorta for aneurysm or dissection.

Methods: A meta-analysis was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement and the Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines. A comprehensive literature review was performed to identify all articles reporting aortic re-operation after proximal aortic replacement.

Visible Light Driven Photoanodes for Water Oxidation Based on Novel r-GO/β-Cu₂V₂O₇/TiO₂ Nanorods Composites.

This paper describes the preparation and the photoelectrochemical performances of visible light driven photoanodes based on novel r-GO/β-Cu₂V₂O₇/TiO₂ nanorods/composites. β-Cu₂V₂O₇ was deposited on both fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) and TiO₂ nanorods (NRs)/FTO by a fast and convenient Aerosol Assisted Spray Pyrolysis (AASP) procedure. Ethylenediamine (EN), ammonia and citric acid (CA) were tested as ligands for Cu ions in the aerosol precursors solution.

4D flow characterization of aortic blood flow after valve sparing root reimplantation procedure.

Valve-sparing aortic root replacement (VSRR) with reimplantation technique is an effective alternative for young patients with dilated roots and preserved cusps, which avoids the risks of lifelong anticoagulation or valve degeneration. New grafts with anatomically-shaped sinuses have been developed in order to preserve aortic root physiology, which could decrease complication rates and improve durability. However, controversy remains regarding the effect of recreation of the sinuses of Valsalva during VSRR on long-term outcomes.

Use Rate and Outcome in Bilateral Internal Thoracic Artery Grafting: Insights From a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: This meta-analysis was designed to assess whether center experience affects the short- and long-term results and the relative benefits of bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting (BITA) for coronary artery bypass grafting.

Methods And Results: MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched to identify all articles reporting the outcome of BITA in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. The BITA center experience was gauged according to the percentage use of BITA in the institutional overall coronary artery bypass grafting population (%BITA).

Radial-Artery or Saphenous-Vein Grafts in Coronary-Artery Bypass Surgery.

Background: The use of radial-artery grafts for coronary-artery bypass grafting (CABG) may result in better postoperative outcomes than the use of saphenous-vein grafts. However, randomized, controlled trials comparing radial-artery grafts and saphenous-vein grafts have been individually underpowered to detect differences in clinical outcomes. We performed a patient-level combined analysis of randomized, controlled trials to compare radial-artery grafts and saphenous-vein grafts for CABG.

Retrograde perfusion through superior vena cava reaches the brain during circulatory arrest.

Background: The optimal technique for brain perfusion during circulatory arrest remains controversial. Concern exists that retrograde cerebral perfusion (RCP) via the superior vena cava (SVC) is unable to perfuse the brain. We evaluated whether RCP blood circulates through the brain parenchyma in humans during deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA).

Cerebrospinal-fluid drain-related complications in patients undergoing open and endovascular repairs of thoracic and thoraco-abdominal aortic pathologies: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Cerebrospinal-fluid (CSF) drainage is recommended by current guidelines for spinal protection during open and endovascular repairs of thoracic and thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysms. In the published literature, great variability exists in the rate of CSF-related complications and morbidity. Herein, we perform a systematic review and meta-analysis on the incidence of CSF drainage-related complications, and compare the complication rates between open and endovascular repairs.

Totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass surgery: A meta-analysis of the current evidence.

Background: Totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass (TECAB) has emerged as an alternative to other minimally invasive techniques. However, limited TECAB results are available to date. The purpose of this systematic review is to examine the existing literature to give an objective estimate of the outcomes of TECAB using a meta-analytical approach.

Group Activities to Promote Early Rehabilitation in an Acute Psychiatric Ward: A Relationship-Based Approach Focusing on Movies.

Our Psychiatry Institute has a long-standing tradition of providing training in the importance of relational and emotional skills and helping relationships. Here we describe techniques that are routinely used on our psychiatric ward (Maggiore della Carità Hospital, Novara, Italy) to promote early rehabilitation of acute psychiatric inpatients. We focus on the Cinema group, which is typical of our approach to informal, therapeutic group activity.

Academic Clinical Productivity of Cardiac Surgeons in the State of New York: Who Publishes More and Who Operates More.

We investigated whether/how cardiac surgeons can be productive both academically and clinically. Using online resources (New York State Adult Cardiac Surgery database, SCOPUS), we collected individual clinical volumes (operations performed/year), academic metrics (ongoing publications, role as author), practice setting, and seniority for all cardiac surgeons in the State of New York from 1994 to 2011. Over time, individual clinical volumes decreased (median operations/year: 193 in 1995 vs 126 in 2010; P < 0.

Incomplete revascularization and long-term survival after coronary artery bypass surgery.

Background: We sought to investigate the impact of incomplete revascularization (IR) on long-term survival after isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The possible interaction between IR and off-pump surgery was also explored.

Methods: A total of 13,701 patients with multivessel disease undergoing CABG were included in the analysis.

The radial artery: Results and technical considerations.

Background: The radial artery (RA) is a frequently used conduit for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). We review the results of the use of the RA in CABG patients and discuss the unique technical considerations when using this conduit.

Methods: A literature search was performed in PubMed through December 2017 on the comparative efficacy of the RA to other conduits and technical considerations for the use of the RA in CABG surgery.

Novel insights by 4D Flow imaging on aortic flow physiology after valve-sparing root replacement with or without neosinuses.

Objectives: This study was undertaken to evaluate the flow dynamics in the aortic root after valve-sparing root replacement with and without neosinuses of Valsalva reconstruction, by exploiting the capability of 4D Flow imaging to measure in vivo blood velocity fields and 3D geometric flow patterns.

Methods: Ten patients who underwent valve-sparing root replacement utilizing grafts with neosinuses or straight tube grafts (5 cases each) were evaluated by 4D Flow imaging at a mean of 46.5 months after surgery.

New-generation stents compared with coronary bypass surgery for unprotected left main disease: A word of caution.

Background: With the advent of bare metal stents and drug-eluting stents, percutaneous coronary intervention has emerged as an alternative to coronary artery bypass grafting surgery for unprotected left main disease. However, whether the evolution of stents technology has translated into better results after percutaneous coronary intervention remains unclear. We aimed to compare coronary artery bypass grafting with stents of different generations for left main disease by performing a Bayesian network meta-analysis of available randomized controlled trials.