Bicuspid aortic valve repair: outcomes after 17 years of experience.

Objectives: This study presents the results of 17 years of experience with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) repair and the analysis of factors associated with repair failure and early echocardiographic outcome.

Methods: Between 2003 and 2020, a total of 206 patients [mean age: 44.5 ± 15.

The evaluation of annuloplasty in bicuspid aortic valve repair using cardiac magnetic resonance.

Background: The incompetent bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) can be replaced or repaired using various surgical techniques. This study sought to assess the efficacy of external annuloplasty and postoperative reverse remodelling using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and compare the results of external and subcommissural annuloplasty.

Methods: Out of a total of 200 BAV repair performed between 2004 and 2018, 21 consecutive patients (median age 54 years) with regurgitation requiring valve repair with annuloplasty without concomitant aortic root surgery were prospectively referred for CMR and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) one year after the operation.

Upregulated sulfatase and downregulated MMP-3 in thoracic aortic aneurysm.

Background: Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) formation is accompanied by degradation of extracellular matrix components (EMC). Numerous matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated in the process, but the involvement of MMP-3 remains unclear. Additionally, the changes in proteoglycan (PG) structure can alter the signal transduction pathways in TAA, though the enzymatic systems which originate them are not fully understood.

Platelets function assessment in patients qualified for cardiac surgery - clinical problems and a newer diagnostic possibilities.

Background: As the incidence of cardiovascular diseases increases, the use of antiplatelet therapy is widely recognized. This presents clinicians with the challenge of balancing the risk of thrombotic and bleeding complications. Platelet dysfunction is one of the causes of postoperative bleedings and their etiology is not fully understood.

Lipomatous hypertrophy of the atrial septum - a benign heart anomaly causing unexpected surgical problems: a case report.

Background: Lipomatous hypertrophy of the atrial septum (LHAS) is an anomaly of the heart. It is characterized by an infiltration of adipocytes into myocytes of the interatrial septum, sparing the fossa ovalis, which gives a characteristic hourglass-shaped image. Due to the progress in imaging techniques, it can be recognized more frequently, but it is still often misdiagnosed.

Long-term efficacy of surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation in a low-volume centre.

Surgical ablation is a recommended procedure for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing a cardiac surgery operation. However, the procedure is associated with significant risk of late recurrence of AF. The aim of the study was to assess the long-term efficacy of the procedure with respect to the comorbidities.

Dynamic occlusions in natural permanent dentition.

Objectives: The problem of occlusion pattern for prosthetic or orthodontic rehabilitation continues to be discussed in the literature. This controversial dilemma may be solved by studying the prevalence of dynamic occlusions in natural permanent dentition. The aim of this study was to assess which schemas of dynamic occlusion are typical of natural dentition in young and older subjects and to determine if any dynamic occlusions are dependent on gender or age.