Valvular disease: the case for conventional treatment.

Minimally invasive cardiac surgery is still controversial and the overall incidence is low, especially with regard to valvular surgery. Currently, there is no trend towards an increase. Reasons include lack of ideal patients, technical difficulties, and financial constraints.

Selection of long-term ventricular assist devices in heart failure patients.

Selection of long-term ventricular assist devices in heart failure patients depends on indication, intention of mechanical support, and availability of devices. Even if many more issues of mechanical support like infection, thromboembolism, and device failure are still unresolved, acceptable results can already be achieved with the current systems.