Histidine-Tryptophan-Ketoglutarate Cardioplegia Yields Different Results in Aortic Valve Surgery Depending on Patient Gender: A Pilot Study.

Background: Histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) cardioplegia induces cardiac arrest through membrane hyperpolarization. Aortic valve pathology leads to pathophysiological changes in left ventricular vascularization that may prevent adequate cardioplegic distribution. The objective of the study was to ascertain whether the use of Bretschneider cardioplegia in aortic valve surgery yields different outcomes for male and female patients.

Weekend Effect and Mortality Outcomes in Aortic Dissection: A Prospective Analysis.

Background: Aortic dissection (AD) is a critical heart condition with potentially severe outcomes. Our study aimed to investigate the existence of a "weekend effect" in AD by examining the correlation between patient outcomes and whether their treatment occurred on weekdays versus weekends.

Methods: Specifically, we prospectively analysed the effect of weekday and weekend treatment on acute AD patient outcomes, both before surgical intervention and during hospitalization, for 124 patients treated from 2019-2021, as well as during 6 months of follow-up.

Evaluation of Perioperative Beta-Blockers and Factors Associated with Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation in Cardiac Surgery: A Single Center Experience.

Background: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) has a complex etiology, and beta-blockers are commonly recommended for its pharmacological prevention. This study aims to assess the impact of beta-blocker therapy on postoperative AF occurrence in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement, mitral valve replacement, surgical revascularization of the myocardium, or a combination of these procedures.

Methods: The study encompassed 472 patients who received aortic valve replacement, mitral valve replacement, surgical revascularization, or their combination.

A Rare Case of Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Cardiac Sarcoma with Inflammatory Pattern.

Cardiac undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) associated with fever and inflammatory response is an extremely rare condition. Herein, we report a rare case of cardiac UPS with unusual clinical presentation and inflammatory response. A 67-year-old male complaining of progressive dyspnea and intermittent fever of unknown cause was referred to our hospital for surgical resection of a left atrial mass.

Theoretical and Practical Aspects in the Use of Bretschneider Cardioplegia.

The race for an ideal cardioplegic solution has remained enthusiastic since the beginning of the modern cardiac surgery era. The Bretschneider solution, belonging to the "intracellular cardioplegic" group, is safe and practical in myocardial protection during ischemic time. Over time, some particular concerns have arisen regarding the effects on cardiac metabolism and postoperative myocardial functioning.

Preclinical Testing of Living Tissue-Engineered Heart Valves for Pediatric Patients, Challenges and Opportunities.

Pediatric patients with cardiac congenital diseases require heart valve implants that can grow with their natural somatic increase in size. Current artificial valves perform poorly in children and cannot grow; thus, living-tissue-engineered valves capable of sustaining matrix homeostasis could overcome the current drawbacks of artificial prostheses and minimize the need for repeat surgeries. To prepare living-tissue-engineered valves, we produced completely acellular ovine pulmonary valves by perfusion.

Mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis with extracapillary crescents - unexpected fatal complication in a 17-year-old patient with implanted left ventricular assist device.

The continuous flow left ventricular assist device (cf-LVAD) is the life-saving solution for patients with end-stage global heart failure. We present the case of a young patient with biventricular dilated cardiomyopathy, who had a cf-LVAD implantation and died as result of progressive renal failure. In the first year after implantation, he suffered repeated strokes and episodes of pneumonia with Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli.

Challenges in Perioperative Animal Care for Orthotopic Implantation of Tissue-Engineered Pulmonary Valves in the Ovine Model.

Background: Development of valvular substitutes meeting the performance criteria for surgical correction of congenital heart malformations is a major research challenge. The sheep is probably the most widely used animal model in heart valves regenerative medicine. Although the standard cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) technique and various anesthetic and surgical protocols are reported to be feasible and safe, they are associated with significant morbidity and mortality rates.

Different Manifestations in Familial Isolated Left Ventricular Non-compaction: Two Case Reports and Literature Review.

Left ventricular non-compaction (LVNC) is a form of cardiomyopathy characterized by prominent trabeculae and deep intertrabecular recesses which form a distinct "non-compacted" layer in the myocardium. It results from intrauterine arrest of the compaction process of the left ventricular myocardium. Clinical manifestations vary from asymptomatic to heart failure (HF), arrhythmias, or thromboembolic events.

[Surgical ventricular reconstruction for ischemic left ventricular aneurysm. Early and medium-term outcomes for two surgical techniques].

Introduction: Left ventricular aneurysm is a severe complication of acute myocardial infarction, which contributes significantly to mortality and morbidity associated with this pathology. Despite the progress of correction techniques, there are still controversies about the optimal approach addressing this pathology.

Aim: The aim of this study was to analyse short and medium term outcomes of left ventricular reconstruction for ischemic left ventricular aneurysm using two surgical techniques (endoventricular patch plasty and liniar suture) in order to determine if one of these techniques has supperior results.

Handheld echocardiography for screening and control of rheumatic heart disease study in Gezira state, Sudan: a double approach model.

Background: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is prevalent in Sudan's rural areas including Gezira state in central Sudan. We initiated a control program aiming at measurement of the echocardiographic (echo) prevalence of RHD, training of health workers and public awareness.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional and interventional study conducted in Gezira State, Al Managil Locality from Nov 2016 to February 2018.