LIMA to LAD grafting returns patient survival to age-matched population: 20-year outcomes of MIDCAB surgery.

Objectives: Previous studies have demonstrated the safety and excellent short-term and mid-term survival after minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB). We reviewed the long-term outcomes up to 20 years, including overall survival and freedom from reintervention.

Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent MIDCAB between February 1997 and August 2020 were identified.

Post-operative outcomes of inflammatory thoracic aortitis: a study of 41 patients from a cohort of 1119 surgical cases.

Aortitis is found in 2-12% of thoracic aortic aneurysm repair/replacement surgeries. Yet little is known about such patients' post-operative outcomes or the role of post-operative corticosteroids. The study was undertaken across three tertiary referral hospitals in Sydney, Australia.

Should cardiac surgery be delayed in patients with uncorrected hypothyroidism?

A best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was: 'should cardiac surgery be delayed in patients with uncorrected hypothyroidism?' A total of 1412 papers were found using the reported search, of which 7 represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The authors, journal, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes and results of these papers are tabulated.

'Is totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass grafting compared with minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting associated with superior outcomes in patients with isolated left anterior descending disease?'.

A best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was 'Is totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass grafting compared with minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting associated with superior outcomes in patients with isolated left anterior descending disease?' Altogether more than 118 papers were found using the reported search, of which 4 represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question, which included 2 prospective cohort studies and 2 retrospective observational studies. The authors, journal, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes and results of these papers were tabulated.

In patients undergoing dialysis who require a valve replacement is a bioprosthetic valve superior to a mechanical prosthesis in terms of long-term survival and morbidity?

A best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was 'In [dialysis patients undergoing a valve replacement] is [a bioprosthetic valve superior to a mechanical prosthesis] for [long-term survival and morbidity]'. Altogether more than 501 papers were found using the reported search, of which five represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question.

Operative Results of Mitral Valve Repair and Replacement in Chronic Ischaemic Mitral Valve Regurgitation.

Background: Ischaemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) carries significant morbidity and mortality. Surgical management includes coronary artery bypass surgery alone or concomitant with mitral valve repair or replacement. There is ongoing debate regarding the appropriate approach to the mitral valve in relation to long-term outcomes.

Mitral valve surgery and coronary artery bypass grafting for moderate-to-severe ischemic mitral regurgitation: Meta-analysis of clinical and echocardiographic outcomes.

Objective: This meta-analysis was conducted to compare clinical and echocardiographic outcomes following isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) versus CABG and mitral valve (MV) surgery in patients with moderate-to-severe ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR).

Methods: Seven databases were systematically searched to identify relevant studies. For eligibility, studies were required to report on the primary endpoint of perioperative or late mortality.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation versus Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement: Meta-Analysis of Clinical Outcomes and Cost-Effectiveness.

Objective: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has emerged as a feasible alternative treatment to conventional surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR) for high-risk patients with aortic stenosis. The present systematic review aimed to assess the comparative clinical and cost-effectiveness outcomes of TAVI versus AVR, and meta-analyse standardized clinical endpoints.

Methods: An electronic search was conducted on 9 online databases to identify all relevant studies.

A meta-analysis of mitral valve repair versus replacement for ischemic mitral regurgitation.

Background: The development of ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) portends a poor prognosis and is associated with adverse long-term outcomes. Although both mitral valve repair (MVr) and mitral valve replacement (MVR) have been performed in the surgical management of IMR, there remains uncertainty regarding the optimal approach. The aim of the present study was to meta-analyze these two procedures, with mortality as the primary endpoint.

A meta-analysis of robotic vs. conventional mitral valve surgery.

Objectives: The present study is the first meta-analysis to compare the surgical outcomes of robotic vs. conventional mitral valve surgery in patients with degenerative mitral valve disease.

Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted to identify all relevant studies with comparative data on robotic vs.

Systematic review of percutaneous interventions for malignant pericardial effusion.

The present systematic review assessed the safety and efficacy of percutaneous interventions for malignant pericardial effusion (MPE), with primary endpoint of recurrence of pericardial effusion. Electronic searches of six databases identified thirty-one studies, reporting outcomes following isolated pericardiocentesis (n=305), pericardiocentesis followed by extended catheter drainage (n=486), pericardial instillation of sclerosing agents (n=392) or percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy (PBP) (n=157). Isolated pericardiocentesis demonstrated a pooled recurrence rate of 38.

Reduced efficacy of transcatheter and surgical revascularization in Takayasu arteritis.

A 55-year-old woman with newly diagnosed Takayasu arteritis was followed for 7 years, during which time she underwent bare metal stenting, drug eluting stenting and coronary bypass grafting for critical coronary and renal artery stenoses. Interventions were initially successful but restenosis occurred within 24 months for all modalities. In contrast, native vessel disease was largely stable after the introduction of immunosuppressive therapy.

Outcomes of cardiac surgery in chronic kidney disease.

Objective: To identify predictors of early and late outcomes of cardiac surgery in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Methods: Patients (n=545) with serum creatinine≥200 μmol/L or renal dialysis were identified from databases maintained by the largest Sydney cardiothoracic surgical units with data consistent with the Australian and New Zealand Society of Cardiothoracic Surgeons data definitions. The patient data were matched against the National Dialysis Database and the New South Wales Register of Births, Deaths, and Marriages.

Recurrent ischaemic mitral regurgitation post mitral annuloplasty due to suture dehiscence evaluated using real time three dimensional transoesophageal echocardiography.

Ischaemic mitral regurgitation after myocardial infarction results from geometric changes in left ventricular shape and displacement of papillary muscles with resultant tethering and incomplete leaflet coaptation of mitral leaflets. Post mitral valve repair, both valve apparatus related factors such as persistent leaflet tethering and progressive left ventricular adverse remodelling and procedure related factors such as ring dehiscence are important causes of recurrent mitral regurgitation after initial undersized mitral ring annuloplasty. Three-dimensional echocardiography is a novel clinical tool that has the potential to provide additional anatomical and functional information regarding the mechanism of recurrent mitral regurgitation post mitral valve repair that is complementary to standard two dimensional transoesophageal echocardiography thus helping guide the most appropriate subsequent therapeutic intervention.

Giant right atrium in an adult: case report of a rare condition.

We report one of the largest descriptions of the right atrium (RA) in an adult, in absence of Ebstein's anomaly, tricuspid stenosis and other common adult associations of RA enlargement, such as pulmonary hypertension secondary to chronic pulmonary disease or severe mitral valvular pathology and pulmonary embolism. The RA volume was estimated to be over 1400 ml and was notably disproportionate to that of the left atrium and either ventricle.

Prevalence of delirium with dexmedetomidine compared with morphine based therapy after cardiac surgery: a randomized controlled trial (DEXmedetomidine COmpared to Morphine-DEXCOM Study).

Background: Commonly used sedatives/analgesics can increase the risk of postoperative complications, including delirium. This double-blinded study assessed the neurobehavioral, hemodynamic, and sedative characteristics of dexmedetomidine compared with morphine-based regimen after cardiac surgery at equivalent levels of sedation and analgesia.

Methods: A total of 306 patients at least 60 yr old were randomized to receive dexmedetomidine (0.