Overall Accuracy of the Modified Duke Criteria-A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background:  Rapid and accurate diagnosis of infective endocarditis (IE) allows timely management of this life-threatening disease and improves outcome. The Duke criteria have traditionally been the clinical method for diagnosing IE. These criteria were reformulated at different timepoints.

Postoperative delirium in patients undergoing TAVI versus SAVR - A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) and Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement (SAVR) have different levels of invasiveness which can result in different levels of functional status after the procedure.

Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to detect studies showing direct comparison between TAVI and SAVR regarding postoperative functional status. The primary endpoint was the incidence of postoperative delirium (POD) after TAVI or SAVR, assessed using the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM).

Association of liver dysfunction with outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention - a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Liver dysfunction is a known risk factor in the cardiovascular field. It specifically increases perioperative risk in patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery. Since percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is the much less invasive procedure for the treatment of coronary artery disease, we aimed to assess the relationship of liver dysfunction with outcomes in patients undergoing PCI.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery versus open thoracotomy for resection of lung metastasis-A meta-analysis of reconstructed time-to-event data.

This study aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and open thoracotomy (OT) in the context of pulmonary metastasectomy. Three databases were assessed. The primary outcome was overall survival.

Aortic regurgitation in left ventricular assist device patients - Does aortic root dilatation contribute to valve incompetence?

Background: Aortic regurgitation (AR) is a known complication after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation potentially leading to recurrent heart failure. Possible pathomechanisms include valvular pathologies and aortic root dilatation. We assessed aortic root dimensions in a group of consecutive LVAD patients who received HeartMate 3.

Survival Correlates with Regurgitation Degree Before and After Invasive Atrioventricular Valve Treatment.

The degree of both mitral (MR) and tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR) correlates with mortality. A vicious cycle has been proposed consisting of increasing regurgitation and decreasing ventricular function. Restoration of valve competence should break this vicious cycle and improve life expectancy.

Colchicine in Patients With Coronary Disease Who Underwent Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Recent randomized evidence has shown that low-dose colchicine lowers the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with chronic coronary artery disease. Colchicine has also been used in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), with individual studies suggesting protective effects for postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF). We performed a meta-analysis of studies assessing the effect of colchicine on outcomes in CABG surgery.

Invasive Treatment of Left Main Coronary Artery Disease: From Anatomical Features to Mechanistic Differences.

There is debate on the best treatment for significant stenoses of the left main (LM) coronary artery. The available evidence is based on four randomized trials, which were either performed specifically to assess patients with LM disease (EXCEL, NOBLE, PRECOMBAT) or had a significant fraction of patients with this disease pattern (SYNTAX). A meta-analysis revealed no difference in periprocedural and 5-year mortality but demonstrated a significant reduction of spontaneous myocardial infarction (MI) with CABG.

Antithrombotic Therapy in Patients With Infective Endocarditis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Antithrombotic therapy (ATT) in patients with infective endocarditis (IE) is challenging.

Objectives: The authors evaluated the impact of anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy on clinical endpoints in IE patients.

Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing IE patients with prior and/or ongoing use of ATT vs those without any ATT during IE course.

Outcomes of complete removal versus conservative therapy in cardiac implantable electronic device infections - A systematic review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Complete removal of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) is recommended in patients with CIED infections, including both systemic and localized pocket infection. The aim of the study was to provide an up-to-date and comprehensive assessment of evidence relating to the effect of complete CIED extraction in patients with a CIED infection.

Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting short- and mid-term outcomes in patients who had a device infection or infective endocarditis (IE) and underwent complete removal of the cardiac device (generator and leads) compared to those who received conservative therapy (no removal, partial removal, local antibiotic infiltration or isolated antibiotic therapy).

Off-Pump Reduces Risk of Coronary Bypass Grafting in Patients with High MELD-XI Score.

Background:  This study aimed to assess the influence of the model of end-stage liver disease without International Normalized Ratio (INR) (MELD-XI) score on outcomes after elective coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) without (Off-Pump) or with (On-Pump) cardiopulmonary bypass.

Methods:  We calculated MELD-XI (5.11 × ln serum bilirubin + 11.

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting versus Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients with Chronic Total Occlusion.

Objectives:  Mechanisms of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) differ as CABG provides surgical collateralization and may prolong life by preventing future myocardial infarctions (MIs). However, evidence for CABG in patients with chronic total occlusion (CTO) has not been fully elucidated and the impact of PCI is discussed controversially.

Methods:  We performed a meta-analysis of studies comparing outcomes in patients with/without multivessel disease undergoing CABG or PCI for CTO.

Deactivation of LVAD support for myocardial recovery-surgical perspectives.

Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are excellent therapies for advanced heart failure patients either bridged to transplant or for lifetime use. LVADs also allow for reverse remodeling of the failing heart that is often associated with functional improvement. Indeed, growing enthusiasm exists to better understand this population of patients, whereby the LVAD is used as an adjunct to mediate myocardial recovery.

Cardiac Surgery 2023 Reviewed.

We reviewed the cardiac surgical literature for 2023. PubMed displayed almost 34,000 hits for the search term "cardiac surgery AND 2023." We used a PRISMA approach for a results-oriented summary.

Subclinical hypothyroidism and clinical outcomes after cardiac surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is associated with major adverse cardiovascular events. Despite the recognized negative impact of SCH on cardiovascular health, research on cardiac postoperative outcomes with SCH has yielded conflicting results, and patients are not currently treated for SCH before cardiac surgery procedures.

Methods: We performed a study-level meta-analysis on the impact of SCH on patients undergoing nonurgent cardiac surgery, including coronary artery bypass grafting and valve and aortic surgery.

Predictive Value of Serial Model of End-Stage Liver Disease Score Determination in Patients with Postcardiotomy Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

(1) : The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in low cardiac output states after cardiac surgery may aid in patient recovery. However, in some patients, the clinical state may worsen, resulting in multiple organ failure and high mortality rates. In these circumstances, calculating a model of end-stage liver disease (MELD) score was shown to determine organ dysfunction and predicting mortality.

Percutaneous Versus Surgical Femoral Cannulation in Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: Minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) is increasing worldwide. In most cases, the surgical technique includes cannulation of the groin for the establishment of cardiopulmonary bypass, requiring a second surgical incision (SC) for exposure and cannulation of the femoral vessels. With the introduction of arterial closure devices, percutaneous cannulation (PC) of the groin has become a possible alternative.

Durability of Tricuspid Valve Repair in Patients Undergoing Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation.

Benefits of tricuspid valve repair (TVR) in left ventricular assist device (LVAD) patients have been questioned. High TVR failure rates have been reported. Remaining or recurring TR was found to be a risk factor for right heart failure (RHF).