A 3D-Printed Externally Adjustable Symmetrically Extensible (EASE) Aortic Annuloplasty Ring for Root Repair and Aortic Valve Regurgitation.

Purpose: The valve-sparing aortic root replacement (VSARR) procedure was developed to preserve the aortic valve apparatus to replace aneurysmal aortic roots with synthetic grafts and to eliminate associated aortic regurgitation (AR). However, residual post-repair AR is not uncommon and has been found to be associated with recurrent AR and future reoperation.

Methods: We designed and manufactured a 3D-printed, external adjustable symmetrically extensible (EASE) aortic annuloplasty ring that can symmetrically reduce the aortic annulus diameter via a radial constriction, compliant mechanism.

Biomechanics and clinical outcomes of various conduit configurations in valve sparing aortic root replacement.

Background: Several conduit configurations, such as straight graft (SG), Valsalva graft (VG), anticommissural plication (ACP), and the Stanford modification (SMOD) technique, have been described for the valve-sparing aortic root replacement (VSARR) procedure. Prior studies have evaluated the impact of conduit configurations on root biomechanics, but the mock coronary artery circuits used could not replicate the physical properties of native coronary arteries. Moreover, the individual leaflet's biomechanics, including the fluttering phenomenon, were unclear.

Effects of Residual Arch Tears on Late Outcomes After Hemiarch Replacement for DeBakey I Dissection.

Background: This study evaluated the effect of residual arch tears on late reinterventions and arch dilatation after hemiarch replacement for patients with acute DeBakey type I aortic dissection.

Methods: Between January 1995 and October 2018, 160 consecutive patients who underwent hemiarch replacement for DeBakey type I dissection were retrospectively enrolled. They were divided into patients with (n = 73) and without (n = 87) residual arch tears.

Aortic valve replacement in patients aged 50 to 69 years: Analysis using Korean National Big Data.

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes and long-term survival in patients who underwent isolated aortic valve replacement (AVR) with mechanical versus bioprosthetic valves.

Methods: Patients aged 50-69 years who had undergone AVR from 2002 to 2018 were identified and their characteristics were collected from Korean National Health Information Database formed by the National Health Insurance Service, Republic of Korea. Of the 5792 patients, 1060 patients were excluded due to missing values on characteristics.

Long-Term Outcomes of Preoperative Atrial Fibrillation in Cardiac Surgery.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (Afib) is a marker of increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Owing to the increased prevalence of Afib in patients undergoing cardiac surgery, assessing the effect of Afib on postsurgical outcomes is important. We aimed to analyze the effect of preoperative Afib on clinical outcomes in patients undergoing cardiac surgery using a large surgical database.

Role of False Lumen Area Ratio in Late Aortic Events After Acute Type I Aortic Dissection Repair.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate whether distal aortic maximum false lumen area (MFLA) ratio predicts late aortic dilation and reintervention after open repair of acute type I aortic dissection.

Methods: We analyzed 309 nonsyndromic acute type I aortic dissection patients who were treated with a repair to the proximal aorta between 1994 and 2017. In 230 patients who did not show completely thrombosed false lumen on postoperative computed tomography, the MFLA ratio (MFLA/aortic area) on the descending thoracic aorta (DTA) was measured with postoperative computed tomography.

Human Tissue Analysis of Left Atrial Adipose Tissue and Atrial Fibrillation after Cox Maze Procedure.

Cardiac adipose tissue is a well-known risk factor for the recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) after radiofrequency catheter ablation, but its correlation with maze surgery remains unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between the recurrence of AF and the adipose component of the left atrium (LA) in patients who underwent a modified Cox maze (CM) III procedure. We reviewed the pathology data of resected LA tissues from 115 patients, including the adipose tissue from CM-III procedures.

Surgical Findings and Outcomes of Endotension Following Endovascular Aneurysm Repair.

Background: Endotension is one of the detrimental complications after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) and surgical management has been considered as standard of care. However, there is a paucity of data regarding the findings, and outcomes of such surgical intervention. The aim of this study was to investigate intraoperative findings and outcomes of surgical treatment for endotension after EVAR.

Increase of Vδ2 T Cells That Robustly Produce IL-17A in Advanced Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Tissues.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a chronic dilation of the aorta with a tendency to enlarge and eventually rupture, which constitutes a major cause of cardiovascular mortality. Although T-cell infiltrates have been observed in AAA, the cellular, phenotypic, and functional characteristics of these tissue-infiltrating T cells are not fully understood. Here, we investigated the proportional changes of T-cell subsets-including CD4 T cells, CD8 T cells, and γδ T cells-and their effector functions in AAAs.

Clinical and Hemodynamic Outcomes in 121 Patients Who Underwent Perceval Sutureless Aortic Valve Implantation - Early Results From a Single Korean Institution.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the early outcomes of Perceval sutureless valves in the Korean population and to introduce a modified technique of guiding suture placement during valve deployment.

Methods and results: From December 2014 to April 2019, 121 patients (mean age: 74.7±6.

A Retrospective Comparison of Hemodynamic and Clinical Outcomes between Two Differently Designed Aortic Bioprostheses for Small Aortic Annuli.

The Trifecta valve has externally mounted leaflets; it differs from classic internally mounted valves (e.g., Carpentier-Edwards [C-E]).

The long-term fate of ascending aorta aneurysm after wrapping versus replacement.

Objective: The study objective was to examine the long-term fate of aortic diameter expansion at 4 cardiac regions (annulus, sinus, ascending aorta, and proximal arch) after wrapping or replacement during aortic valve surgery of the moderately dilated ascending aorta.

Methods: From January 1995 to December 2018, 964 consecutive patients who underwent aortic valve replacement at our institution were reviewed. Of them, 204 (mean age, 60.

Prognostic Markers and Long-Term Outcomes After Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients With Chronic Aortic Regurgitation.

Background The objectives of the present study were (1) to evaluate the echocardiographic prognostic factors associated with improved left ventricular (LV) systolic function after aortic valve replacement, and (2) to compare the long-term outcomes after aortic valve replacement in chronic aortic regurgitation (AR) patients with or without LV dysfunction. Methods and Results A total of 280 patients who underwent aortic valve replacement because of chronic aortic regurgitation were studied. Patients with reduced LV systolic function (LV ejection fraction [LVEF] <50%; group reduced LVEF [rEF]; N=80) were compared with those with preserved LV systolic function (LVEF ≥50%; group preserved LVEF; N=200).

Comparative Outcome Analysis of N-Butyl Cyanoacrylate Embolization of the False Lumen Versus Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair in Aortic Dissection.

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) embolization for the treatment of aortic dissection.

Materials And Methods: In this single-center retrospective study conducted from February 2003 to June 2019, NBCA embolization of an aortic false lumen was attempted in 12 patients (median age, 59 y; range, 41-68 y) and thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) was performed in 53 patients (median age, 59 y; range, 37-70 y) for aortic dissection with one or more indications of persisting pain, malperfusion, rupture or impending rupture, maximal aortic diameter ≥ 55 mm, and/or rapid aortic enlargement. The main exclusion criterion for embolization was the presence of fast blood flow in the aortic false lumen on aortography.

Long-term Clinical Impacts of Functional Mitral Stenosis After Mitral Valve Repair.

Background: The relationship between functional mitral stenosis (MS) after mitral valve (MV) repair and long-term clinical outcomes is not fully understood. Therefore, we reviewed an institutional series to identify the determinants of functional MS and its effect on long-term clinical outcomes after MV repair for degenerative mitral regurgitation.

Methods: Between January 1990 and December 2015, 792 patients who underwent MV repair for degenerative mitral regurgitation were retrospectively enrolled and divided into 2 groups: functional MS (n = 192) (≥5 mm Hg mean diastolic pressure gradient across the MV) and nonfunctional MS (n = 600) (<5 mm Hg mean diastolic pressure gradient).

Long-term Fate of Dilated Ascending Aorta after Aortic Valve Replacement for Bicuspid Versus Tricuspid Aortic Valve Disease.

We compared the long-term outcomes and difference in dilatation rates of the ascending aorta after aortic valve (AV) replacement (AVR) between bicuspid and tricuspid AV patients, and evaluated risk factors associated with ascending aorta dilatation and aortic events during the follow-up. Of 1,127 patients who underwent AVR from 1995 to 2015, 259 patients with a dilated ascending aorta (≥40 mm in diameter) were included. The patients were divided into those with bicuspid (group bicuspid aortic valve [BAV], n = 105) and with tricuspid (group tricuspid aortic valve [TAV], n = 154) AV, and a propensity score-matched analysis was performed to match 98 patients in each group.

The fate of residual aortic regurgitation after ascending aorta replacement in type A aortic dissection.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the changes in postoperative aortic regurgitation (AR) and determine the predictors of significant AR and root reoperation after ascending aortic replacement (AAR) in patients with acute type A aortic dissection.

Methods: From January 1995 to December 2017, 271 consecutive patients underwent valve/root-preserving AAR (n = 225) and root replacement (n = 46). AR grade trend over time was analyzed by the ordinal mixed-effects model.

The Impact of a Reentry Tear After Open Repair of Nonsyndromic Acute Type I Aortic Dissection.

Background: The role of a reentry tear in the descending thoracic aorta (DTA) after repair of acute aortic dissection is not well known. We therefore investigated the impact of reentry tear location on late aorta reintervention and the aortic expansion rate after open repair of acute type I aortic dissection.

Methods: We analyzed 309 nonsyndromic acute type I aortic dissection patients who were treated with a repair to the proximal aorta between 1994 and 2017.

Impact of Suture Techniques for Aortic Valve Replacement on Prosthesis-Patient Mismatch.

Background: Many variables may affect the hemodynamic performance of the aortic valve prosthesis, and suture technique remains an important factor for determining maximum valve performance. The objective of this study was to determine the suture technique that produces better hemodynamic performance for aortic valve replacement (AVR).

Methods: Patients who underwent AVR between January 2015 and September 2018 in our institution were analyzed.

Effect of Pulmonary Hypertension on Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Rheumatic Mitral Stenosis.

Background: Long-term outcomes of mitral valve replacement (MVR) recipients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) remain unclear. We determined the effect of concomitant PH on the clinical outcomes and late-onset progression of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) after MVR for rheumatic mitral stenosis.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 394 patients who underwent MVR between January 2000 and December 2013.

Effects of a Proximal Seal System on Neurologic Outcomes of Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

Severe aortic atherosclerosis is a risk factor for stroke during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of postoperative neurologic complications after off-pump CABG (OPCAB) with a proximal seal system (Heartstring).From January 2011 to December 2014, 729 patients underwent isolated OPCAB.